CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Pay

Grant Shapps: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how much has been spent by the Church Commissioners on staff reward and recognition schemes in each of the last three years.

Stuart Bell: In each of the last three years for which fully audited figures are available (i.e. 2005-07) the salary and pension contribution cost of staff for whom the Church Commissioners were the managing employer was £3.7 million.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Marketing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Prime Minister how much has been spent by 10 Downing Street on advertising in the last 12 months.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Watson) on 15 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 869-70W.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Prime Minister how many complaints about advertisements sponsored or funded by his Office were made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in each year from 1997 to 2008; and how many of these were upheld by the ASA in each year.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Watson) on 14 January 2009,  Official Report, column 744W.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Internet

Jo Swinson: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission on what date the decision was taken to upload videos of parts of the tour of Parliament to a YouTube channel; on what date the decision was taken to restrict access to that channel to members of a private YouTube group; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: Videos of parts of the parliamentary tour were posted on the parliamentary YouTube channel:
	http://uk.youtube.com/ukparliament
	linked from the main UK Parliament website:
	http://www.parliament.uk
	on 6 January as part of our ongoing development of the website. They were removed from it on 9 January when some issues with their content were identified.
	The YouTube videos were published to the UK Parliament channel as part of specific groups of videos focused on the tours. The functionality of YouTube does not allow these groups to be deleted. To remove them from public view required making the groups private, thereby restricting access.
	It is not our policy to restrict access in any way to our content, including YouTube, and this was done in order to prevent inaccurate content from being in the public domain.
	They will be reinstated once they meet the required quality standards. As a result of this incident we have reviewed quality control procedures and built in additional checks before material is signed off for release on the website.

SCOTLAND

Charities

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to which  (a) charities and  (b) voluntary organisations his Department has provided funding in the last five years; and how much funding was provided to each.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office, along with the Wales Office and Ministry of Justice, has funded a series of reports on devolution from University College, London. The Scotland Office agreed to contribute £25,000 over three years towards this work.

Departmental Buildings

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent on  (a) maintaining,  (b) decorating and  (c) otherwise improving departmental buildings in the last five years; how much has been spent on wallpaper since 2001; and what plans there are for further spending on departmental decoration.

Ann McKechin: Under the terms of its building leases the Scotland Office is required to maintain its buildings to an acceptable standard of decoration and repair. Over the period of the last five years, the Office has shared its accommodation with a number of other Government Departments. The following figures show the gross total for repairs and maintenance of Scotland Office buildings, but does not include the contribution by the Departments towards their share of the costs.
	The Office does not separately record the amount spent on wallpaper. The plans for further decoration have not yet been finalised, however any costs will be in line with the terms of the building leases.
	
		
			   Cost (£) 
			 2003-04 179,853 
			 2004-05 374,129 
			 2005-06 331,803 
			 2006-07 355,071 
			 2007-08 (1)1,011,254 
			 (1)In 2007-08 this included roof and exterior repairs to Dover House in London.

Departmental Catering

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what  (a) directly-operated and  (b) franchised catering outlets his Department provides for staff.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office has no in-house canteen or other catering facilities.

Departmental Data Protection

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of staff in his Department have been  (a) investigated,  (b) suspended and  (c) dismissed for losing (i) memory sticks, (ii) laptop computers, (iii) desktop computers and (iv) mobile telephones belonging to his Department in each year since 1997.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland office was established on 1 July 1999. Since this date no members of staff have been investigated, suspended or dismissed for losing memory sticks, laptop computers, desktop computers or mobile phones belonging to the office.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on broadband internet in each of the last five years.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not separately record expenditure on broadband internet.

Departmental Coaching: Languages

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many  (a) Ministers and  (b) civil servants in his Department received coaching in a foreign language in the last 12 months; what expenditure his Department incurred in providing such coaching; and in what languages such coaching was provided.

Ann McKechin: No Ministers or civil servants received coaching in a foreign language in the last 12 months.

Departmental Manpower

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members of staff were  (a) employed by and  (b) seconded to the Scotland Office in (i) Scotland and (ii) London in each quarter since 1999.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. The office does not directly employ staff, all staff in the office are on secondment from other Government Departments, mainly the Scottish Executive and Ministry of Justice. Information on staff numbers is published in the office's annual report, copies of which are in the House Library. The office does not keep central records in a form that would allow staff numbers to be broken down by each quarter since 1999.

Departmental Manpower

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the responsibilities of each member of his media and communications team are; when each member of staff was recruited; and what the salary of each member of staff is.

Ann McKechin: The responsibilities of the Press Office at the Scotland Office are shared by two staff, recruited in September 2006 and March 2007. Both are on secondment from the Ministry of Justice.
	The Press Office is responsible for a wide range of civil service communications functions.
	To protect the privacy of individual staff, data relating to fewer than five people are not disclosed.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy that temporary and permanent employees of his Department employed at the same grade receive the same hourly rate of pay.

Ann McKechin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 17 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 763-64W.

Departmental Pay

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent by his Department on staff reward and recognition schemes in each of the last three years.

Ann McKechin: Staff in the Scotland Office are seconded from the Scottish Executive (SE) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) who each have bonus schemes in operation. Under the special bonus scheme of the SE and the reward and recognition scheme of the MOJ, the office may directly authorise bonus payments (or in the case of the MOJ scheme; small and instantaneous awards e.g. vouchers) for recognising special effort, achievement and commitment. The following table shows the number and cost of non-pensionable bonuses paid under these schemes:
	
		
			  Financial year  Total number of bonuses  Total cost of bonuses (£) 
			 2005-06 8 3,750 
			 2006-07 17 4,750 
			 2007-08 6 2,150

Departmental Catering

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many bonuses were awarded to senior civil servants working at his Department and its agencies in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 2008; and how much was spent on such bonuses in each of those years.

Ann McKechin: Members of the senior civil service in the Scotland Office are seconded from the Scottish Executive and the Ministry of Justice, their bonuses are assessed under a framework set by the Cabinet Office. The office does not hold central information on such bonuses.

Departmental Catering

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which  (a) food and  (b) drinks companies have supplied his Department in each of the last three years; and how much was paid to each of those suppliers in each of those years.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not record the information in the form requested.

Departmental Surveys

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department's central media and communication unit spent on public surveys in each of the last three years.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office Press Office have not incurred any costs on public surveys in any of the last three years.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which companies were used by his Department for providing temporary staff in each of the last five years; and what the value of contracts with each such company was in each of those years.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office paid the following amounts to recruitment agencies for temporary staff in the last five years:
	
		
			   Number of staff  Total cost (£) 
			  2003-04   
			 Adecco 3 11,952.41 
			 Pertemps 12 18,721.46 
			 Select Appointments 1 22,961.65 
			
			  2004-05   
			 Select Appointments 1 7,098.31 
			
			  2005-06   
			 Select Appointments (1)0 458.62 
			
			  2006-07   
			 Kelly Services 2 7,500.12 
			
			  2007-08   
			 Pertemps 3 7,239.74 
			 (1) No staff were recruited in this year, however the cost of a late invoice from the previous financial year was incurred.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Bankruptcy

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many individuals were declared bankrupt in each year between 2000 and 2007.

Patrick McFadden: Table 1 shows the number of bankruptcies in England and Wales between 2000 and 2007. This information is also available on the internet at:
	http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/otherinformation/statistics/insolv.htm
	
		
			  Table 1: England and Wales 
			   Number 
			 2000 21,550 
			 2001 23,477 
			 2002 24,292 
			 2003 28,021 
			 2004 35,898 
			 2005 47,291 
			 2006 62,956 
			 2007 64,480

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what expert advisers have been commissioned by his Department and its agencies since 1997; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the advisers so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.

Patrick McFadden: A list of expert advisers used by BERR since 1997 is not held centrally and any information on such advisers could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Since 2003, the Government have published, on an annual basis, the names and overall cost of special advisers and the number in each pay band. This is published in the form of a written ministerial statement by the Prime Minister before each summer recess.
	I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House to respond to the hon. Member directly.
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 16 January 2009:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	Whilst we have engaged a number of consultants on various programmes and projects during this period, we have not engaged any third party 'expert advice' to help form organisational strategy or policies.
	 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 16 January 2009:
	The Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to your question (2008/448) what expert advisers have been commissioned by his Department and its agencies since 1997; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the advisers so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.
	A list of expert advisers used by The Insolvency Service since 1997 is not held centrally and any information on such advisers could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost to his Department of provision of office facilities to  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers (i) was in the last 12 months and (ii) has been since 1997-98.

Patrick McFadden: BERR does not hold sufficiently detailed information to answer this question and to produce it would involve disproportionate cost.

Small Businesses: Billing

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his latest assessment is of the implementation of the Government's commitment to pay suppliers within 10 days.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 15 January 2009
	BERR is currently collecting data from other Government Departments and from its own delivery partners on performance in making payments to suppliers within 10 days of receiving a correctly rendered invoice. Although complete figures are not yet available, Government Departments and public bodies have embraced payment within 10 days and are working to implement this across their own organisation and to encourage suppliers to pass on these terms.
	During November and December 2008, the first two months of recording the new target, BERR paid 93.1 per cent. and 96.9 per cent. of invoices within 10 working days respectively. Formal reporting by all Government Departments commenced at the start of January 2009 and will be reported to BERR on a quarterly basis.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Departmental Telephone Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what use  (a) his Department and  (b) service providers under contract to his Department make of (i) 0844 and 0845 telephone numbers and (ii) revenue-sharing telephone numbers for calls from members of the public; for which services such numbers are used; what prefixes are used for revenue-sharing numbers; how much revenue has accrued from revenue-sharing numbers in each of the last five years; what consideration his Department has given to introducing 03-prefixed telephone numbers for calls to all such services; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Since its formation on 3 October 2008, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has made no use of 0844, 0845 or revenue-sharing telephone numbers for calls from members of the public. DECC already makes use of a 03-prefixed number, charged at the standard national rate, for general inquiries. The Department is not at present party to any contracts, as the Transfer of Function Order related to the creation of DECC has not yet come into force.

Electricity Generation

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much electricity was generated from each primary source in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The most recent year for which figures are available is 2007. The following table shows generation from the main sources in 2007. Provisional figures for 2008 will not be available until the end of March 2009.
	
		
			   Electricity generated (GWh) 
			 Gas 164,473 
			 Coal 136,685 
			 Oil 4,693 
			 Other Thermal(1) 13,030 
			   
			 Primary electricity 73,402 
			  Of which:  
			 Nuclear 63,028 
			 Hydro, wind, wave and solar PV 10,374 
			   
			 Other fuels(2) 3,859 
			 Total 396,142 
			 (1) Includes non-biodegradable wastes, coke oven gas, blast furnace gas, and waste products from chemical processes. (2) Hydro pumped storage.  Note: Primary electricity is electricity obtained other than from fossil fuel sources e.g. nuclear, natural flow hydro and non-thermal renewables.  Source: Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2008, Table 5.6, as revised at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/energystats/dukes5_6.xls

Electricity Generation

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what percentage of electricity generated in the UK was produced by  (a) renewables,  (b) coal,  (c) gas and  (d) nuclear energy in 2008.

Mike O'Brien: Energy statistics for the calendar year 2008 will not be available until the end of March 2009. These will be provisional until the publication of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics, 2009 at the end of July 2009. The latest available annual data are for 2007 and are as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 Renewables 5.0 
			 Coal 34.5 
			 Gas 41.5 
			 Nuclear 15.9 
			 Other fuels(1) 3.1 
			   
			 Total 100.0 
			 (1) Includes non-biodegradable wastes, oil, coke oven gas, blast furnace gas, and pumped storage.  Source: Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2008, Table 5.6 as revised at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/energystats/dukes5_6.xls

Fuel Poverty

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of levels of fuel poverty in  (a) Chorley,  (b) Lancashire and  (c) each county; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The most recently available sub-regional split of fuel poverty relates to 2003, and shows that in Chorley there were 2,600 fuel poor households and around 31,000 fuel poor households in Lancashire. Clearly, rising prices will have increased those figures significantly.
	Fuel poverty estimates are available for all counties can be seen in the following table:
	
		
			  County  Fuel poor households  Proportion of all households that are fuel poor (percentage) 
			 Avon 24,800 6.0 
			 Bedfordshire 13,100 5.8 
			 Berkshire 16,800 5.3 
			 Buckinghamshire 15,000 5.5 
			 Cambridgeshire 17,300 6.0 
			 Cheshire 25,100 6.2 
			 Cleveland 15,000 6.7 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 14,400 6.7 
			 Cumbria 14,300 6.8 
			 Derbyshire 26,200 6.5 
			 Devon 29,200 6.4 
			 Dorset 17,500 5.9 
			 Durham 16,700 6.7 
			 East Sussex 19,200 5.8 
			 Essex 39,100 5.8 
			 Gloucestershire 14,600 6.1 
			 Greater London 162,200 5.4 
			 Greater Manchester 68,200 6.6 
			 Hampshire 38,700 5.8 
			 Hereford and Worcester 5,000 6.7 
			 Hertfordshire 22,200 5.3 
			 Humberside 24,700 6.8 
			 Isle of Wight 3,800 6.7 
			 Kent 39,200 6.1 
			 Lancashire 39,300 6.7 
			 Leicestershire 23,500 6.4 
			 Lincolnshire 18,300 6.7 
			 Merseyside 40,500 7.1 
			 Norfolk 22,200 6.5 
			 North Yorkshire 19,900 6.3 
			 Northamptonshire 16,000 6.2 
			 Northumberland 8,500 6.5 
			 Nottinghamshire 28,000 6.5 
			 Oxfordshire 13,300 5.5 
			 Shropshire 11,900 6.6 
			 Somerset 13,300 6.3 
			 South Yorkshire 34,900 6.6 
			 Staffordshire 27,800 6.4 
			 Suffolk 18,000 6.4 
			 Surrey 22,900 5.3 
			 Tyne and Wear 30,300 6.5 
			 Warwickshire 12,700 6.0 
			 West Midlands 68,100 6.6 
			 West Sussex 17,500 5.5 
			 West Yorkshire 56,500 6.6 
			 Wiltshire 15,000 6.0 
			 Worcestershire 13,500 6.1

Housing: Insulation

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the  (a) energy savings and  (b) emissions reductions which would arise if (i) 60 per cent., (ii) 80 per cent. and (iii) 100 per cent. of UK households were thermally insulated.

Joan Ruddock: As of April 2008, the remaining potential for insulation measures in Great Britain totalled 7.75 million wall cavities; 6.33 million lofts (where less than 100 mm of insulation is already present); and 6.3 million homes in need of solid wall insulation (excluding homes in conservation areas).
	We project that, if all remaining measures were installed (with solid-wall insulation achieving a 'U' value of 0.45 W/m2K), this would save 20.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) per year. In terms of energy savings (comprising gas, electricity and oil), this would represent 230.89 TWh per year.
	The savings delivered from treating 80 per cent. and 60 per cent. of homes would depend on the combination of measures installed. The following table therefore provides the figures for savings from insulating cavities, lofts and solid walls separately for each of these percentage scenarios.
	
		
			   Cavities  Lofts from < 100 mm  Solid wall insulation 
			 Remaining potential in GB, April 2008 (Million) 7.75 6.33 (1)6.30 
			 
			 Potential carbon savings if 100 per cent. filled (MtCO2/year) 4.9 1.5 14.2 
			 Potential carbon savings if 80 per cent. filled (MtCO2/year) 3.9 1.2 11.4 
			 Potential carbon savings if 60 per cent. filled (MtCO2/year) 2.9 0.9 8.5 
			 
			 Potential gas savings if 100 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 20.02 5.99 57.53 
			 Potential gas savings if 80 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 16.0 4.8 46.0 
			 Potential gas savings if 60 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 12.0 3.6 34.5 
			 
			 Potential electricity savings if 100 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 1.41 0.41 4.36 
			 Potential electricity savings if 80 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 1.1 0.3 3.5 
			 Potential electricity savings if 60 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 0.8 0.2 2.6 
			 
			 Potential oil savings if 100 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 1.58 0.47 4.52 
			 Potential oil savings if 80 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 1.3 0.4 3.6 
			 Potential oil savings if 60 per cent. filled (TWh/year) 0.9 0.3 2.7 
			 (1) Excludes houses in conservation areas.

Hydroelectric Power

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has commissioned on the use of small-scale hydro-power generation; and what his most recent assessment is of its potential contribution to power generation by 2020.

Mike O'Brien: The 2008 "Growth Potential for Microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland" report completed by Element Energy was part funded by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and included research as to the number of micro-hydro installations currently in operation. Their follow up report, "Numbers of microgeneration units installed in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland", looked in more detail at the number of installations across the UK and estimated that there were 73 micro hydro installations in the UK generating over 4GWh per annum. Both reports are available from the BERR website at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/microgenerationresearch.
	In Scotland a study has been undertaken by the Forum for Renewable Energy in Scotland (FREDS), looking at the potential for hydropower in Scotland. This study shows this potential to be in the region of 657MW. The FREDS report can be found on the Scottish Executive website at:
	http://www.Scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0064958.pdf
	This Department, along with the Welsh Assembly Government and in partnership with the British Hydropower Association are currently undertaking a study into the potential for micro and small scale deployment hydropower in England and Wales. This is due to be published later this year.

Natural Gas

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what alternative gas supplies to those previously obtained from Russia are being considered by the Government.

Mike O'Brien: The UK imports less than 2 per cent. of its gas from Russia. UK gas demand is met from a diverse range of sources including indigenous UK continental shelf production, imports from Norway and from continental Europe including from the Netherlands and LNG imports. In addition, the UK has gas storage. The market can respond to changes in the availability of imports from particular sources, including gas sourced from Russia, to ensure that overall demand is met.

Nuclear Power: France

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions have taken place with the government of France on UK-French co-operation on nuclear power following the President of France's visit to the UK in 2008.

Mike O'Brien: Discussions on nuclear co-operation have continued to take place since the President's visit to the UK: a meeting will take place between officials across a range of issues on 3 February 2009; the exchange programme between the safety regulators continues; and the safety regulators have been in regular contact with relation to Generic Design Assessment.

Nuclear Power: Insurance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 12 January,  Official Report, column 124W, on nuclear power: insurance, for what reasons the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has located its wholly-owned subsidiary, Rutherford Indemnity Ltd, in Guernsey.

Mike O'Brien: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) did not make a decision to locate Rutherford Indemnity Ltd. in Guernsey. It was located there when it was owned by BNFL before it was transferred to the NDA, when the NDA became the owners of the plant and facilities of BNFL with effect from 1 April 2005.

Sellafield: Management

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of management at the Sellafield nuclear facility before the transfer of responsibility for the site to Nuclear Management Partners.

Mike O'Brien: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is responsible for the management of sites in its ownership.
	The new Parent Body Organisation for Sellafield Ltd., Nuclear Management Partners Ltd., was awarded the contract after a competitive procurement process.
	The outgoing Parent Body Organisation, BNFL, did not tender for the contract. However, the effectiveness of the previous management arrangements, including cost and efficiency, was used by the NDA as a benchmark to assess value for money in the tenders received during the competition.

Sellafield: Management

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the value is of contracts relating to the handover of responsibility for the Sellafield site to a new private body organisation.

Mike O'Brien: Under the terms of the Parent Body Agreement signed with the NDA, Nuclear Management Partners (NMP) and Sellafield Ltd., NMP was appointed as the Parent Body Organisation and owner of the shareholding in Sellafield Ltd. on 24 November 2008. The Parent Body Agreement, which has no direct monetary value, is for an initial term of five years. The agreement contains extension options for two further five-year terms and one two-year term, totalling a potential 17 years, which the NDA is entitled to exercise in any order. During this contract period, NMP are entitled to receive dividends based on the fee earned by the Site Licence Company (SLC), Sellafield Ltd. This fee is dependent on the quality and effectiveness of the SLC's performance. The fee is currently anticipated to be worth around £50 million a year.

Severn Barrage: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the costs to the public purse of building the Severn Barrage in the event of all funding being provided from that source.

Mike O'Brien: The Severn tidal power feasibility study has produced cost estimates of a number of different tidal power projects in the Severn Estuary, and considered how these could be funded and delivered. We expect this work to be published shortly as part of a three-month public consultation.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Environment Protection: Day Care

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what environmental protection legislation governs daycare centres which offer educational training for people with learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The types of centres described are subject to the same environmental protection legislation that applies to businesses generally. The activities carried out by a business will determine which legislation applies in particular to the business and its activities.
	Examples of legislation which could particularly affect these types of centres are the waste management legislation set out in Part 2 of the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007. A further example is the statutory nuisance legislation set out in Part 3 of the Environmental Protection Act which addresses any activities prejudicial to health or a nuisance: for example, emissions of smoke, fumes, light and noise. A full list of the environmental protection legislation that applies to businesses can be found on the Environment Agency's NetRegs website:
	www.netregs.gov.uk

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to introduce an independently verified kitemark for the flood resilience of properties.

Huw Irranca-Davies: We have no plans to set up an alternative Quality Mark scheme to that run by the British Standards Institute. In principle, we have no objection to the development of alternative Quality Marks, supported by appropriate independent verification, provided that they deliver good quality products appropriate to the intended use and are easily understood by the public.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received on his Draft River Basin Management Plans consultation.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The consultation on draft River Basin Management Plans is being conducted by the Environment Agency which is the Competent Authority and has responsibility for producing the plans under the Water Framework Directive regulations. The consultation which started on 22 December 2008 will close on 22 June 2009.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the financial impact on each  (a) individual water company,  (b) farmer and landowner,  (c) local authority,  (d) highway authority and  (e) other interested party affected by the proposals in the Draft River Basin Management Plans consultation if brought into effect; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: An updated national impact assessment for the water framework directive was published in February 2008 and is available at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/river-basin/IA-river-basin-v2.pdf.
	Each of the draft River Basin Management Plans is accompanied by a draft impact assessment which includes an analysis which estimates the likely impact of different options on different sectors. All the major sectors are included that are expected to be impacted by the water framework directive measures, such as the water sector and agriculture and land management. It also includes an assessment of the impact on small and medium sized businesses within each River Basin District.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what economic impact assessment he has made of each individual river management system set out in the Draft River Basin Management Plans consultation if brought into effect; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Each of the draft River Basin Management Plans impact assessments includes a sector analysis which estimates the likely impact of different options on different groups. An analysis by individual river management system has not been undertaken but could be achieved by aggregating measures for each water body in each river catchment. It is not possible to undertake this work at this level of detail at present as many water bodies still require further work to determine the reasons for not achieving good status.

Flood Control

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on flood protection policy.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA officials and I work closely with the Environment Agency and meet regularly to discuss a range of issues, including flood protection policy. Most recently, I met Paul Leinster (chief executive) and Lord Smith (chairman) for a bilateral on 11 December.

Flood Control: Departmental Responsibilities

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Minister will be responsible for joint action between the Environment Agency and the Meteorological Office on flood warning and prediction matters; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Flood Forecasting Centre (FFC), announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 December 2008, will have no impact on existing ministerial responsibilities. The FFC is staffed by experts from the Environment Agency and the Meteorological Office and will ensure better integration of weather and flood warnings and related information.

Forestry Commission: Scotland

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Executive on  (a) the (i) statutory duties and (ii) functions of the Forestry Commission and  (b) proposals in the draft Climate Change (Scotland) Bill which relate to the Forestry Commission.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Officials in both DEFRA and the Forestry Commission England are in regular contact on a wide range of issues relating to forestry matters. This includes keeping in touch in general terms with relevant developments such as those relating to the Forestry Commission in Scotland. No detailed discussions have however taken place on the Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Manchester Is My Planet

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding his Department has provided to Manchester is my Planet in the last 24 months.

Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
	This information is not held centrally by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and so would incur disproportionate cost.

Marine and Fisheries Agency: Redundancy

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of potential  (a) job losses,  (b) voluntary redundancy payments and  (c) involuntary redundancy payments at the Marine and Fisheries Agency following its replacement by the Marine Management Organisation.

Huw Irranca-Davies: An estimate of potential job losses, voluntary and involuntary redundancy payments at the MFA is not necessary, as staff not wishing to relocate with the MMO will be supported in finding employment elsewhere or reassigned within DEFRA.

Marine Management Organisation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost of setting up the planned Marine Management Organisation headquarters in each of the short-listed locations.

Huw Irranca-Davies: My officials have identified the potential funding required for a relocation, which will be taken into account when 2009-10 budget allocations within DEFRA are agreed.
	The one-off funding required for the relocation will be very similar for any of the short listed locations—although ongoing costs such as accommodation will vary between locations.

Marine Management Organisation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to announce the decision on the location of the headquarters for the Marine Management Organisation.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I will announce the decision shortly.

Marine Management Organisation

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria will be used in deciding the location of the headquarters for the Marine Management Organisation; and what weight will be given to the desirability of a coastal location.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The business criteria, which all have the same maximum weighting, used in arriving at the short list for the location for the MMO HQ were as follows:
	Coastal Location;
	Location in terms of wider Government agendas on Relocation (Lyons and Economic Deprivation);
	Proximity to Marine Stakeholder Clusters;
	Proximity to Institutions with Marine Specialisms; and
	Good transport links in particular to key stakeholders and Brussels
	The Quality of Life criteria include education, cost of housing, unemployment, health care and crime and these also shared the same maximum weighting for this criteria.

Marine Management Organisation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers he proposes the Marine Management Organisation should have in relation to the authorisation of  (a) coastal barrages and  (b) other large capital projects which will affect the marine environment.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will have the powers necessary to authorise most developments in the relevant marine areas, including coastal barrages, but with some exceptions, such as 'nationally significant infrastructure projects' as defined under part 3 of the Planning Act 2008.
	Nationally significant infrastructure projects will be handled by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) established under the Planning Act. As the centre of marine expertise, the MMO will advise the IPC on proposals for nationally significant infrastructure projects and other developments which may affect the marine environment.
	The MMO will have a particular role in advising the IPC on conditions that should be imposed to mitigate any adverse impact any development may have on the marine environment or other uses of the sea. The MMO will also be responsible for the subsequent monitoring and enforcement of developments approved by the IPC.

Nature Conservation: British Antarctic Territory

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels to help reduce the numbers of seabird deaths caused by longline fishing in the British Antarctic Territory; and whether the treaty covers other British Overseas Territories in the region.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The waters around the British Antarctic Territory are wholly within the area covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). It is mandatory for all long-line fishing vessels to undertake measures to minimise seabird by-catch and to deploy an international scientific observer to monitor compliance with these requirements. In recent years, there has been no by-catch of seabirds in legal fisheries in these waters. There has thus been no need for the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) to work to reduce by-catch in these waters and it has instead focused its efforts on by-catch reduction in other parts of the oceans. In those areas the Parties to the Agreement have begun to work with regional fisheries management organisations to advance the use of mitigation technologies as well as to improve by-catch monitoring and have agreed a strategy to take this forward.
	The UK's ratification of ACAP includes all UK Overseas Territories in the range of the albatrosses and petrels covered by ACAP, for example, the Falkland Islands, Tristan da Cuhna, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and British Antarctic Territory.

Pigs

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support his Department is providing to pig farmers and the pig industry in 2008-09; and what account he took of minimum UK welfare standards in determining that support.

Jane Kennedy: The Government have been very supportive of a number of initiatives taken by the pig industry itself to address the challenging issues that have faced it during 2008-09. For example we are continuing to develop the public food sector procurement initiative and are currently producing a model specification to enable public bodies to take account of animal welfare in their contracts for pork and bacon products.
	The Department is also pursuing, with all parties including supermarkets, how best to provide better origin information so that consumers can make more informed choices, without imposing additional legislation on the industry.

Pigs

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the long-term economic sustainability of the pig industry; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Industry organisations such as the British Pig Executive (BPEX) and the National Pig Association (NPA) have kept me fully appraised of the current state and future economic prospects of the English pig industry. At their invitation I have "walked the pigmeat supply chain" to gain a fuller understanding of its economic and environmental sustainability.
	DEFRA also routinely monitors the profitability of UK pig production on an annual basis through our 'Agriculture in the UK' publication.
	The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee published their report on 'The English Pig Industry' on 13 January. We welcome the report and we shall be making a full response to its recommendations in due course.

Plastic Bags

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to enable local authorities to require local retailers to reduce significantly their use of single-use carrier bags; and whether he plans to enable local authorities to prohibit the use of single-use carrier bags in  (a) their areas and  (b) specific circumstances.

Jane Kennedy: The Government have no such plans. It would be illegal under EU law to prohibit the use of bags, and the Government have no plans to do so or to empower local authorities to do so. A very significant reduction in the number of single-use carriers distributed by supermarkets is in prospect following the agreement reached between the Government and the British Retail Consortium in December, under which leading supermarkets have pledged to reduce bags by 50 per cent. by the spring.

Recycle Now Campaign

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost per compost bin of the sales promotion under the Recycle Now Campaign was in each of the last two years.

Jane Kennedy: The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has run a home composting programme since 2004. During this period it has sold nearly two million home composting bins through partner local authorities. WRAP has also provided advice and support to those householders who have adopted home composting as an effective means of reducing their waste.
	For the last two complete calendar years, the cost per compost bin spent on direct sales literature and local advertising was £3.13 in 2006, and £3.02 in 2007.

Rural Areas

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by what means his Department advises other Government departments on rural proofing.

Huw Irranca-Davies: It is established Government policy that the needs and interests of rural people, businesses and communities should be appropriately reflected in all Departments' mainstream policies and delivery plans. Rural proofing is one of the main tools available to departments to achieve this. DEFRA works with other Government Departments to advise and encourage them to take account of rural interests in developing and implementing their policies, including meeting the requirement to address rural implications in published impact assessments.
	DEFRA also sponsors the Commission for Rural Communities which publishes detailed rural proofing guidance, and works closely with Departments on the rural implications of their policies. DEFRA and the Commission for Rural Communities are currently working together to refresh and relaunch the support arrangements and materials available to national, regional and local government to improve rural proofing.

Rural Areas: Community Development

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has for further review of the effects of the policies set out in the Rural White Paper on rural communities.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Rural White Paper 2000 set out a vision of a living, working, vibrant and protected countryside in which people had fair and equitable access to the jobs and services they require. That vision is underpinned by the Rural Strategy 2004, and continues to be reflected in the Government's mainstream policies as they affect rural areas. The Government established the Commission for Rural Communities in 2005 to monitor and advise on the impact of its policies on rural areas, and currently has no plans to carry out any separate review.

Rural Areas: Community Development

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken by  (a) his Department and  (b) the Commission for Rural Communities to measure (i) community involvement and (ii) community activity in rural areas.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Government are committed to supporting community involvement and activity in all areas, including rural ones, and is seeking to promote this through the initiatives announced in the Community Empowerment White Paper. DEFRA does not measure levels of community engagement, but the Department for Communities and Local Government has a range of mechanisms for this.
	In addition, the Commission for Rural Communities has undertaken a number of activities in relation to community engagement, including a participation inquiry which looked at the role of local councillors as democratic champions acting on behalf of their communities.

Rural Community Buildings Network

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to bring forward proposals to assist the rural community buildings network; and what funding is being made available to the networks.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA supported the formation of the Rural Community Buildings Network which was set up in July 2006 to improve communication on matters that affect rural community buildings, share information and best practice, and provide a unified voice to influence local and central government.
	DEFRA does not fund this network, and has no plans to bring forward new proposals for it. However, DEFRA will continue to organise and host its regular meetings, and work with the group to promote the benefits of community buildings in rural areas.

Sustainable Development: Housing

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure developers and contractors in the housebuilding industry consider the whole-life costs in the production process of housing; and whether he plans to introduce producer responsibility requirements for  (a) construction industry and  (b) housebuilding industry products.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has no plans to introduce new regulatory requirements with respect to whole-life costs in the production process of housing. However, the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes contain standards that encourage developers voluntarily to use materials with lower environmental impacts over their lifecycle. DEFRA has also worked with BSI and the Carbon Trust to develop a method (the PAS 2050) for any business to assess the lifecycle carbon emissions of a product or service. This was published on 29 October 2008.

Fly-posting

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legislation governing fly-posting.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA funds Keep Britain Tidy to undertake the annual Local Environmental Quality Survey of England which assesses a variety of local environmental quality indicators, including fly-posting. The survey shows that fly-posting levels over the last four years have been low and judged as "good".
	Since the introduction of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, local authorities have had the power to issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for fly-posting offences. The number of FPNs issued has increased from 883 with a payment rate of 59 per cent. in 2005-06 to 1,133 with a payment rate of 78 per cent. in 2006-07.

Waste Disposal: Gloucestershire

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects Gloucestershire County Council to provide its full business case for its waste strategy.

Jane Kennedy: Gloucestershire county council submitted their outline business case to DEFRA at the end of April 2008 and private finance initiative (PFI) credit support for their project was provisionally approved by the Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock), in August 2008. The project was considered by the cross-departmental Project Review Group (PRG) at its meeting on 21 October 2008 and provisionally approved subject to certain conditions. DEFRA made an announcement on this PFI application on 12 November 2008.
	It is standard practice for PFI projects to submit final business cases to the sponsor Department, before the appointment of preferred bidder. In this case, this is expected to be in late 2010.

Water Charges

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has had seeking an exemption for churches, charities and community groups from surface area water charges; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has received a range of representations from various groups regarding surface water drainage charges. The Government are aware of the problem of affordability faced by some customers as a result of the switch to site area charging for surface water drainage and is looking at what can be done.

Water Charges

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many hon. Members have written to  (a) his Department and  (b) Ofwat to complain about water companies charging schools, places of worship and community buildings based upon the surface water drainage use, compared to the previous system of flexible charges.

Huw Irranca-Davies: From 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008, DEFRA received correspondence from approximately 60 Members of Parliament on behalf of either schools, places of worship or community buildings regarding changes to charging for surface water drainage.
	For the same period, Ofwat received correspondence from 33 Members of Parliament on the subject.

Water Charges

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions has he has had with Ofwat on its decision to encourage water companies to charge schools, places of worship and community buildings according to site area.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Secretary of State meets Ofwat regularly to discuss a range of issues. The Government are aware of the problem of affordability faced by some customers as a result of the switch to site area charging for surface water drainage and is looking at what can be done.

OLYMPICS

Total Costs

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent estimate she has made of the total cost of staging the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: The cost of staging the games will be met from LOCOG's £2 billion budget.
	It is intended that this budget will be self-financed—with the exception of a contribution from public funds towards the staging the Paralympic games. For this there is a provision of £66 million in the £9.325 billion public sector funding package.

Total Costs

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what her most recent estimate is of the total cost of the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: The estimate of public expenditure on the London 2012 games remains within the £9.325 billion package that I announced in March 2007.
	I provided further details of the budget in my statement of December 2007; and my progress updates of January and July 2008. My next progress report will be in early February.

Economic Downturn

Hugo Swire: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what assessment she has made of the effect of the economic downturn on the budget for the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: The recent economic climate has affected the financing of the Olympic Village and the International Broadcasting Centre/Main Press Centre (IBC/MPC) projects.
	However the venues and infrastructure for the games—including the Olympic Village and the IBC/MPC—are still on track to be delivered within the £9.325 billion public sector funding package.

King George's Fields Legacy

John Mann: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what assessment she has made of the relevance of the King George's Fields legacy to the planning of the legacy for the London 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: As part of the legacy of the 2012 games we are aiming to have two million more physically active people and to get more young people into sport.
	Playing fields can play a vital role in enabling people to be more active and I will be working with other departments to see what role playing fields can have in delivering this legacy.

Ticketing Policy

Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what ticketing policy has been developed for the London 2012 Olympics; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: The London Organising Committee (LOCOG) is responsible for developing its ticketing strategy for the London 2012 games.
	I have held detailed discussions with the chairman and Director of Ticketing at LOCOG about the developing strategy, which will be published in 2010. Tickets will go on sale in 2011.

Olympic Games 2012: Digital Broadcasting

Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what discussions she has had with  (a) the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and  (b) other partners on coverage of the London 2012 Olympics on digital radio.

Tessa Jowell: The broadcasting rights to the Olympic games, which include digital radio rights, are managed by the IOC as part of their intellectual property rights. The UK broadcasting rights to the 2012 Olympic games were awarded to the BBC, as a member of the European Broadcasting Union. The broadcasting rights to the 2012 Paralympic games are yet to be awarded.

Olympic Games 2012: North East

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many  (a) schools and  (b) students are making use of the pre-games training camps set up in the North East region in preparation for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Tessa Jowell: The North East region has identified 20 Olympic and eight Paralympic venues to be used by the athletes of visiting National Olympic and Paralympic Committees preparing for London 2012. The full range of the sporting facilities and services they can offer are contained in the Pre Games Training Camp Guide produced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
	In the majority of cases the pre games training camps are existing facilities with established community use programmes and as a consequence they are available for school and student organisations to utilise.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of income support claims have taken more than the target processing time in each month of the last two years, broken down by benefit delivery centre;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance claims have taken more than 12 days to process from when the application was first received in each month of the last two years, broken down by  (a) benefit delivery centre and  (b) number of days to process.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus. I have asked the acting chief executive, Mel Groves to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions - "how many and what proportion of Income Support claims have taken more than the target processing time in each month of the last two years, broken down by Benefit Delivery Centre", and "how many and what proportion of Jobseekers Allowance claims have taken more than 12 days to process from when the application was first received in each month of the last two years, broken down by  (a) Benefit Delivery Centre and  (b) number of days to process". This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The target for Income Support (IS) Average Actual Clearance Time is 10 days. This is calculated from the date all the evidence requirements are met by the customer to the date a decision is made on their claim.
	For Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) the Average Actual Clearance Time (AACT) target is 11.5 days. This was reduced from a 12 day target in 0708 to 11.5 days for 08-09. The AACT is calculated from the date of the initial contact made by the customer to the date a decision is made on the claim.
	Our benefit processing systems calculate the AACT for both IS and JSA by taking each claim clearances time using the dates as described and calculates an average across the volume of claims processed. The Management Information system in support of these targets generates reports around percentages and volumes cleared within set time bands. While this provides the business with additional management information it is not in direct correlation with the AACT data as they are calculated in different ways.
	For IS the time bands recorded are claims processed in 0-5 days, 0-13 days and all claims processed. The JSA time bands recorded are claims processed in 0-5 days, 0-10 days, 0-16 days, 0 -21 days and all claims processed.
	The information for October 2006 to October 2008 broken down by Benefit Delivery Centre has been placed in the House Library. The data recorded is to two decimal places as this is how we receive the raw data, when we formally report our targets we round those figures up to one decimal place.

Departmental Air Travel

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 58W, on departmental air travel, whether figures for 2007-08 have now been calculated.

Jonathan R Shaw: The air travel figures for the Department for 2007-08, and which are due to be paid imminently to the 'GCO2F Government Carbon Offsetting Fund', are provided in the following table.
	All departmental official travel is undertaken in accordance with civil service management code.
	
		
			  April 2007 to March 2008 
			   KMs travelled  Miles travelled  tCO 2 e (CO 2  emissions)  Offsetting cost( 1) (£) 
			 Domestic air travel 12,599,850.34 7,825,994 2169.95 21,504.17 
			 Short-haul air travel 1,047,032.91 650,331 297.64 2,949.63 
			 Long-haul air travel 1,397,087.16 867,756 321.62 3,187.26 
			 Total 15,043,970.41 9,344,081.00 2789.21 27,641.06 
			 (1) To be paid by DWP to GCO2F.

Departmental ICT

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to page 36 of the Departmental Framework 2008, if he will place in the Library a copy of the future work programme for the Customer Information System.

Tony McNulty: To place the work programme for the Customer Information System in the Library would make public information that may jeopardise the security of the Customer Information System and the personal information it holds. Its disclosure would not be in the public interest. I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 17 December 2008,  Official Report, column 826W, which sets out the Department's approach to data and information security.

Departmental ICT

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what computer systems his Department uses to store  (a) financial and  (b) non-financial data, broken down by (i) version number, (ii) supplier, (iii) system name, (iv) underlying database and (v) operating system.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department has 149 major application systems currently supported by its existing hosting contract(s) as listed in the following table. They store and/or access a wide range of financial or non-financial data.
	It is not in the public interest to provide the information requested for each system and I refer the hon. Member to the answer on 17 December 2008,  Official Report, column 826W, which sets out the Department's approach to data and information security.
	Software versions are governed by the Department's Enterprise Architecture which specifies that they should be no more than one version older than the current baseline version, so that systems are up to date and support is available.
	
		
			  Application  (short name)  Application (long name/description) 
			 ATAS Audit Trail Analysis Service (amended from System) 
			 ATS Appeals Tracking System 
			 BAS Benefits Adviser Service 
			 BAMS Benefits Agency Medical Service 
			 BCS Business Controls System 
			 BDBSH Birkenhead Dis Ben Syst Healthcheck (A) 
			 BEL Benefit Enquiry Line 
			 BIS Business Information system 
			 BOC Better off Calculator 
			 BCS Business Controls System 
			 CA (GB) Carer's Allowance formally known as ICA 
			 CA (NI) Carer's Allowance (Northern Ireland) 
			 CA Online Carer's Allowance Online 
			 CBS Call Booking System 
			 CFS Contract and Funding System 
			 ChIS Child care Information System 
			 CIB Corporate Integration Backbone Services 
			 CIS Customer Information System 
			 CMS Customer Management System 
			 CMS MIS Customer Management System Management Information System 
			 CMS NISSA Customer management System Northern Ireland Social Security Agency 
			 Comet Comet 
			 Complaints Complaints Database 
			 CPP Common Payments Package 
			 CRU Compensation Recovery Unit 
			 CRU NI Compensation Recovery Unit NI 
			 CRU On-line Compensation Recovery Unit Online 
			 CRU les Compensation Recovery Unit Interactive e services 
			   
			  CSA Accounting  
			 CSR Accounting (BMS/R) CSR Accounting (BMS/R) 
			 CSA DMS (GB) CSA Debt Management System 
			 CSCS Child Support Computer System 
			   
			  CSCS Training  
			 CSIMS Customer Services Incident Management System 
			 CSR (CS2) CSR (Child Support 2) 
			 DACS (NI) Disability and Carers System (Northern Ireland) 
			 DBS Departmental Briefing System 
			 DCDB FD DCDB Fraud Database 
			 DIS Departmental Interface Server Replacement 
			 DiSC Disability Services Client System 
			 DLA(NI) Disabled Living Allowance Northern Ireland 
			 DLACS/AACS Disability Living Allowance /Attendance Allowance 
			 DM Debt Management (including DM Ml) 
			 DMAS Decision Making and Appeal System 
			 DMS Debt Management System 
			 DRS Document Repository System 
			 ECFPOD Electronic Claim Form Pensions Overseas Direct 
			 EDON/DVI Direct Vacancy Input 
			 ELES ESA LegaSuite Enquiry Service 
			 Elise Elise 
			   
			  Empower  
			 eNIRS JC+ eNIRS JC+ 
			 ERM Employer Relationship Management 
			 ESA CAM Employment Support Allowance Customer Account Management 
			 ESA VME Employment Support Allowance VME 
			 ETD Electronic Transfer of Data 
			 FAMIS (PP) FAMIS Payroll & Personnel 
			 FAMIS ACC FAMIS Accounting 
			 FAMIS Ingres FAMIS Ingres 
			 FAO Financial Accounting Operations 
			 FAS Financial Assistance Scheme 
			 FRAIMS Fraud Referral and Intervention Management System 
			 FSD Flexible Service Delivery 
			 GMS Generalised Matching Service 
			 HBMS Housing Benefits Matching System 
			 HBSDC Housing Benefit Subsidy Data Collection 
			 HQ Library HQ Library 
			 leS Core leS Core 
			 IICS Industrial Injuries Computer System 
			 IJB Internet Job Bank 
			 INCAP See PSCS/Incap 
			 ISCS Income Support Computer System 
			 ISCS (NI) Income Support Computer System Northern Ireland 
			 ITG online Integration Services Online (Provides new applications with online access to legacy applications which includes the following components: Integration Services Online for PFS, CMS, NTC, CSR and BMSR 
			 ITG batch Integration Services Batch (Provides new applications with batch access to legacy applications which includes the following components: Integration Services Batch for PFS, CMS, NTC, CSR, BMSR, WFI(P), RM, PXP, CRU, DLA, KFEM, LPS, LMS, NOL, OB, PCFE, GIREC, SIS, VA, DEBTMAN, FNCS, HBSDC, IPBA, IRDEG, NAFM). 
			 IWB In Work Benefit 
			 JABS Jobseeker Attendance Band System 
			 JBA Job Broking Access 
			   
			  Job Broking Access for Partners  
			 Job Warehouse Job Warehouse 
			 JSAPS Jobseeker's Allowance Payments System 
			 Jobpoint KMS Jobpoint Kiosk Management Service 
			 JSMA Jobcentre Search and Match app 
			 LFR Leeds File Registry 
			 LMDW Labour Market Data Warehouse 
			 LMS Labour Market System 
			 LMSMI Labour Market System Management Information 
			 LO/DO/RO/HO/OA Office Automation 
			 LPS Local Payment System 
			 MD Mesothelioma Database 
			 MFSR (Opstrat Access) Multi Function Servers providing access to Opstrat applications which includes the following component: MFSR DFP Web Logic Application 
			 MFSR (Printer Access) Multi Function Servers providing access to Opstrat printing. 
			 MOP Method of Payment Application—CCMS 
			 MI Challenge Database MI Challenge Database 
			 MPS Course booking system 
			 MyDWP MyDWP 
			 NDDP New Deal for Disabled People database—client management system AKA NDDP CMS 
			 New Deal for Disabled People Duplicate of NDDP 
			 NDEMI New Deal Management Information 
			 NIRS1 National Insurance Recording Systems 1 
			 NOL Notification Online 
			 NOL/DLA Notification Online/Disabled Living Allowance 
			 NTC New Tax Credits 
			 OAS Overseas Awarding System 
			 OLE OLE and Trusted Channel 
			 OVBII Overseas Branch Industrial Injuries 
			 PACS Payment Accounting Computer System 
			 PCC Parliamentary Correspondence 
			 PCFE Pension Credit Front End 
			 PDS2000 Pensions Direct System 2000 
			 PDES Pension Direct Enquiry Service 
			 PENS Penserver 
			 PFS PFS 
			 PFS MIS Pensions Forecasting System MIS 
			 PIB PTP Integration Backbone Application 
			   
			  PSCS (NI)  
			 PSCS/Incap Pensions Services and Incapacity Benefit Computer System 
			 PSOD Pension Sharing on Divorce 
			 PTP Pension Transformation Programme (excluding the PxP PTP component, but including the following components: PTP Siebel Application, eDocs, PTP Bank Wizard, PTP QAS Application) 
			 PxP Push and Pull 
			 RATS Reassessment Appeals Tracking System 
			 Respond Respond Pensions and ICE 
			 RDAS Referral and Data Analysis Service 
			 RMS Resource Management System 
			 Rightfax Rightfax 
			 RKMS Remote Kiosk Management System 
			 RTPF Real Time Pensions Forecasting 
			 RPTC Retirement Pension teleclaims for Northern Ireland 
			 Self Serv Portal Self Service Portal 
			 SFAS Social Fund Accounting System 
			 SFCS Social Fund Computer System 
			   
			  SFCS (NI)  
			 SIDDB Sustainability in DWP Database 
			 SPVAFS Service Personnel and Veterans Agency Futures Suite 
			 Spyts Special Payments (including CSA) 
			 SSP Small Systems Platform (Assaults and Accidents Database(AAD), Disability and Discrimination Database (DDB), Electronic Filing System (EFS), Official Correspondence Database (OCD), Under 18 Support Team (UEST) 
			 STARS Storage and Retrieval System 
			 TeS Tactical E-Services 
			 TPJB Third Party Job Bank 
			 VME PROXY VME PROXY 
			 WFES Winter Fuels Enquiry Service 
			 WFPS Winter Fuel Payment System 
			 WFTC Working Families Tax Credit/Disabled Person's Tax Credit 
			   
			  WFTC/DPTC  
			 WFTC/DPTC (NI)  
			 Workstep Workstep 
			   
			  WPCS (WPKI)  
			 WPCS (WPKI) War Pensions Computer System

Employment and Support Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what his Department's estimate is of the number of people who will be in receipt of employment and support allowance  (a) in total,  (b) in the work-related activity group and  (c) in the support group in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his Department's estimate is of the number of people who will be on employment and support allowance (ESA), broken down by  (a) income-based ESA and  (b) contributory-based ESA in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We expect 10 per cent. of new employment and support allowance customers will flow into the support group, and 90 per cent. of new employment and support allowance customers will flow into the work-related activity group. However, we expect that at least 20 per cent. of customers in the longer term employment and support allowance caseload will be in the support group, because these people will be much less likely to leave the benefit than those in the work-related activity group.
	Information on estimated caseloads up to the end of the Government's spending plan period, to 2010-11, is in the following table.
	
		
			  Employment and support allowance: estimated benefit caseloads 
			  Thousand 
			   2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Employment and Support Allowance 100 290 510 
			  Of which:
			 Income-based only 40 110 190 
			 Contributory only 50 140 250 
			 Both 10 40 70 
			 
			 Work Related Activity Group 90 240 410 
			  Of which:
			 Income-based only 30 90 150 
			 Contributory only 40 120 200 
			 Both 10 30 60 
			 
			 Support Group 10 50 100 
			  Of which:
			 Income-based only 0 20 40 
			 Contributory only 10 20 50 
			 Both 0 10 10 
			  Notes: 1. Figures for 2008-09 relate to six months only; employment and support allowance was introduced on 27 October 2008. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000. Components may not sum to totals due to rounding. 3. Figures are consistent with autumn/pre-Budget report 2008 benefit expenditure tables, to be published shortly on the DWP website. These will be accessible via the following link: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp

Employment: Lone Parents

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average income of a lone parent with a single child in receipt of income support was at the latest date for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The median net total weekly income for lone parents with a single child in receipt of Income Support is £210.
	 Notes:
	1. The Family Resources Survey is a nationally representative sample of approximately 26,000 households.
	2. Data for 2006-07 was collected between April 2006 and March 2007.
	3. The figures are based on a sample of households which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which align the Family Resources Survey to Government Office Region populations by age and sex. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-response error.
	4. Weekly income is based on self-assessment and therefore may be subject to misreporting.
	 Source:
	Family Resources Survey, 2006-07

Employment: Yorkshire and the Humber

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to maintain levels of employment in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Ruth Owen:
	The Secretary of State has asked Mel Groves to reply to your question concerning what steps he plans to take to maintain the level of employment in Yorkshire and Humberside. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr Groves as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. Mr Groves is currently on annual leave. I am replying on his behalf as Chief Operating Officer.
	Jobcentre Plus has a key role in helping both individuals and employers in the current economic situation. Our priority is to ensure people receive the benefits they are entitled to and the support and training necessary to get back to work as soon as possible and help employers fill their vacancies with suitably qualified people.
	As you know we have seen a rise in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance across the region. Jobcentre Plus is very well placed to help people who have recently lost their jobs to move back into work as soon as possible. While around 28,000 new customers claimed Jobseeker's Allowance in November across the region, over 34,000 new vacancies were notified to us and 21,700 customers moved off the register.
	We continue to actively engage with employers across the region to help them meet their local recruitment needs. We have had a magnificent response through our Local Employment Partnerships initiative with 3,120 employers now signed up to offering work opportunities for our most disadvantaged customers and newly redundant people, resulting in 6,417 jobs. We are also working closely with local employers and partners, for example, in the call centre, care and retail sectors to offer bespoke pre employment training to fill their significantly increased vacancies. We also offer a wide range of support for people facing redundancy. This includes helping support employers to retain their staff through retraining; and encouraging staff to gain vocational qualifications to prepare for the economic recovery rather than having to make staff redundant. We also support employers where they need to go into short time or temporary stop working and we are tailoring our advice to meet their needs.
	A strengthened Rapid Response Service was launched on 12 November 2008, doubling national funding from £3 million to £6 million. Through the Rapid Response Service, Jobcentre Plus has access to funds to enable those individuals made redundant to receive the necessary help to get them back into work. Such measures could include:
	Skills Transfer Analysis (to help identify an individual's transferable skills and training needs relevant to the local labour market);
	Job-Focussed Training (to assist individuals with appropriate training and certification linked to employment or self-employment linked to the needs of the local labour market).
	We will also visit employees facing redundancy at their place of work to explain the support and benefits available to them. Employees can also access the vacancies we hold nationally by visiting our website at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or by telephoning us on 0845 6060 234 and by using the jobpoints at their local Jobcentre. Additional information is also available through our 'Job Kit' which provides guidance and support for customers on benefits and how to look for a job and our 'Find your way' leaflet for employers.
	The Government announced on 12 January 2009 that it is enhancing the support available to customers who are unemployed for six months from April 2009. This includes further support from Jobcentre Plus advisers, plus options to take up subsidised employment, self employment, training or voluntary work. This will all be available in the Yorkshire and Humber Region, delivered through Jobcentre Plus and partners.
	Jobcentre Plus is also represented on the Regional Economic Delivery Group, chaired by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Minister Rosie Winterton. The group is working to secure and coordinate public sector infrastructure investment and steer the regional response to the economic climate. Reporting to this group is the Yorkshire and Humber Financial Services Task force led by Yorkshire Forward (the Regional Development Agency). This group is co-ordinating the region's response to potential job losses and producing a long term strategy to secure the future of high skilled employment in the sector. This working group is currently developing an action plan to support Bradford and Bingley Building Society. The group will be widening its remit to cover other industrial sectors.
	In addition to this support we recently decided that our customers in Yorkshire and the Humber can have access to CV writing, Jobsearch advice and support through our Programme Centres immediately rather than waiting 6 months.
	I have asked Ian Hunter, District Manager West Yorkshire, to meet with you to discuss the help Jobcentre Plus are providing to maintain the level of employment across the region.

Housing Benefit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average  (a) daily,  (b) weekly and  (c) monthly level of housing benefit claimed per claimant was (i) in total and (ii) in each of the smallest geographical areas for which figures are available, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The available information has been placed in the Library.

Jobcentres

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the Answer of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1993-94W, on jobcentres, what estimate he has made of the number of people using jobcentres in each year since 2002.

Tony McNulty: The information is not available.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance claimants who had better off in-work calculations carried out by Jobcentre Plus in the last year were found to be  (a) worse off,  (b) between £0 and £9 a week better off,  (c) between £10 and £19 a week better off,  (d) between £20 and £29 a week better off,  (e) between £30 and £49 a week better off,  (f) between £50 and £74 a week better off,  (g) between £75 and £99 a week better off and  (h) more than £100 a week better off; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The information is not available.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the average time between application and payment of  (a) jobseeker's allowance and  (b) income support was in each month of the last two years;
	(2)  what the average time taken to complete the processing of  (a) jobseeker's allowance and  (b) income support claims from when the initial application was received in each month of the last two years, broken down by benefit delivery centre.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus. I have asked the acting chief executive, Mel Groves to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions:
	"what the average time between application and payment of (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) income support was in each month of the last two years"
	"what the average time taken to complete the processing of (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) income support claims from when the initial application was received in each month of the last two years, broken down by benefit delivery centre"
	This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The target for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) Average Actual Clearance Time (AACT) is 11.5 days. This is calculated from the date of initial contact made by the customer to the date a decision is made on their claim.
	The target for Income Support (IS) AACT is 10 days. This is calculated from the date all the evidence requirements are met by the customer to the date a decision is made on their claim.
	In other words only JSA clearance times are calculated from the date of initial application date.
	Please see attached at annex 1 data that displays the AACT for JSA and IS for each month in the last two years. The data recorded is sometimes to two decimal places as that is how we receive the raw data, when we formally report our targets we round those figures to one decimal place.
	
		
			  Annex 1: JSA and IS AACT for the periods November 2006-October 2007 and November 2007-October 2008 
			   2006  2007 
			   Nov  Dec  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct 
			 JSA AACT 14.03 13.2 13.1 13.4 12.85 12.62 12.49 11.04 11.25 11.47 10.61 10.22 
			 IS AACT 11.35 10.24 9.7 8.93 8.79 9.34 9.84 9.54 9.37 9.62 9.61 9.43 
		
	
	
		
			   2007  2008 
			   Nov  Dec  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct 
			 JSA AACT 9.42 9.89 9.79 9.75 9.43 9.94 9.65 9.9 10.19 10.43 10.02 9.94 
			 IS AACT 9.19 9.52 8.93 7.92 8.09 8.4 8.15 8.08 8.14 8.15 8.46 8.65 
		
	
	
		
			  Annex 2: JSA by BDC for 2006-07 
			   2006  2007 
			  Business delivery centre  Nov  De c  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct 
			 Aberdeen BDC 8.05 7.78 8.86 8.24 7.84 9.66 9.32 8.36 9.71 8 84 8.81 8.61 
			 Barnsley BDC 14.64 12.4 13.02 13.77 15.48 15.61 17.11 1225 12.05 11.02 10.62 9.12 
			 Basildon BDC 20.02 17.58 16.99 16.69 14.88 15.18 13.27 11.33 11.31 12.24 11.74 11.72 
			 Bathgate BDC 11.21 9.96 9.91 11.19 11.63 12.33 14.97 13.71 14.78 14.41 11.03 11.18 
			 Belfast BDC 12.41 12.14 12.75 12.94 12.79 13.47 13.1 12.58 12.87 12.89 11.36 11.09 
			 Birkenhead BDC 14.1 14.11 13.74 12.88 11.42 10.7 10.7 10.18 10.92 11.27 11.04 10.59 
			 Bolton BDC 11.97 11.12 12.35 14.76 15.8 12.17 11.3 10.14 9.32 10.19 10.43 8.61 
			 Bradford BDC 15.38 15.16 16.11 13.86 15.24 15.34 13.78 10.54 10.82 9.61 10.79 11 
			 Bristol BDC 16.03 17.23 15.6 15.14 15.23 15.48 16.37 15.13 12.74 12.27 11.3 9.56 
			 Burnley BDC 10.94 11.8 13.56 14.05 12.31 12.32 11.44 9.18 11.12 13.95 13.74 12.4 
			 Bury St. Edmonds BDC 16.11 16.76 18.07 18.06 14.58 13.99 13.48 11.43 12.48 11.62 13.13 11.19 
			 Caerphilly BDC 10.34 11.41 10.72 11.19 10.66 11.82 11.48 9.31 8.9 10.34 9.22 7.4 
			 Cannock BDC 14.92 13.58 14.2 12.38 12.56 11.35 13.46 12.53 13.8 16.02 13.01 8.86 
			 Canterbury BDC 13.91 9.46 9.69 11.98 13.45 13.63 13.63 11.26 13.37 13.71 10.73 10.27 
			 Carlisle BDC 11.1 10.46 11.12 11.55 10.03 9.5 8.66 9 8.83 8.23 8.2 8.15 
			 Chester BDC 14 13.25 15.71 16.32 14.64 13.48 16.45 13.08 9.66 7.65 7.36 6.68 
			 Chesterfield BDC 13.18 13.3 12.39 13.11 12.47 11.06 10.97 11.31 11.52 11.29 10.76 11.01 
			 Chippenham BDC 11.04 10.85 10.01 9.63 8.48 8.56 9 9.03 8.41 8.32 7.75 7 88 
			 Chorlton BDC 13.61 13.29 13.78 15.32 14.04 12.37 12.36 12.02 11.74 12.17 11.57 10.17 
			 Clyde and Fife BDC 10.17 11.86 12.29 14.3 13.88 15.21 15.83 13.29 15.81 13.26 11.59 11.29 
			 Clydebank BDC 11.05 11.95 11.92 12.08 10.18 10.77 11.81 10.87 12.34 13.15 12.33 10.93 
			 Coatbridge BDC 14.48 13.54 11.25 12.3 13.02 10.15 10.46 10.47 12.14 11.18 11.34 9.04 
			 Cosham BDC 15.66 14.27 13.67 13.62 12.79 12.75 12.28 12.42 12.08 12.44 12.68 15.33 
			 Derby BDC 13.75 14.69 17.18 18.7 17.42 16.39 14.51 13.58 13.43 12.74 11.15 9.54 
			 Doncaster BDC 12.37 10.88 9.8 10.56 10.04 11.19 10.47 9.29 8.1 8.55 8.55 8.38 
			 Exeter BDC 14.06 15.55 18.01 16.93 12.68 12.52 13.18 11 94 9.79 7.91 9.01 10.29 
			 Glasgow BDC (London) 15.89 16.51 15.59 14.89 14.95 11.94 10.93 9.97 9.89 9.28 9 8.33 
			 Gloucester BDC 15.75 16.54 17.44 14.01 14.79 14.57 11.67 8.95 9.57 9.71 10.31 11.74 
			 Greenock BDC 7.68 8.26 9.07 10.82 7.93 8.06 8.59 8.66 11.16 10.73 9.63 8.81 
			 Hackney BDC 9.58 7.94 8.47 8.88 8.72 9.43 9.33 8.74 10.05 10.47 9.69 9.32 
			 Halifax BDC 14.07 13.5 13.85 15.71 18.13 16.91 17.72 14.6 11.35 10.9 8.7 8.28 
			 Handsworth BDC 21.75 18.85 15.8 12.82 12.81 13.35 12.6 11.64 107 13.73 10.87 11.26 
			 Hanley BDC 20.33 17.22 17.25 17.54 17.18 15.33 15.69 13.58 13.09 13.86 13.13 11 
			 Hastings BDC 15.02 14.12 15.89 16.57 17.29 18.86 17.54 14 11.78 11.67 11.79 15.28 
			 Hull BDC 14.32 13.7 12.53 14.49 15.56 15.85 11.97 9.44 9.16 9.77 8.73 9.51 
			 Huyton BDC 10.69 10.74 9.84 10.35 8.98 9.55 9.11 8.48 9.64 9.66 8.51 8.18 
			 Hyde BDC 11.77 11.13 10.4 10.34 9.26 9.42 10.18 9.07 9.8 11.53 11.23 10.33 
			 Ilford BDC 14 11.99 11.32 11.27 10.9 11.03 10.97 10.19 9.57 11.42 11.43 10.92 
			 Kilmarnock BDC 12.75 10.73 10.77 12.5 14.95 12.29 13.44 11.53 10.94 11 10.92 11.17 
			 Leeds BDC 10.33 10.49 11.59 12.14 11.59 12.34 11.58 11.29 12.55 1377 11.63 12.02 
			 Leicester BDC 16.81 15.03 14.81 17.07 17.15 14.61 12.22 10.92 10.17 10.5 9.56 9.45 
			 Lincoln BDC 14.23 14.17 14.1 16.24 15.59 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Llanelli BDC 10.56 9.13 904 8.79 7.91 9.34 8.48 8.07 8.26 8.31 7.57 7.61 
			 Makerfield BDC 16.27 12.31 10.72 10.94 11.26 9.88 10.17 9.24 9.78 9.87 10.25 10.88 
			 Mansfield BDC 11.33 10.47 12.77 13.94 14.7 16.02 12.95 11.89 12.8 13.48 12.29 11.47 
			 Merthyr Tydfil BDC 9.51 8.99 8.95 9.5 7.99 8.45 8.02 7.47 9.36 10.41 10.2 9.43 
			 Newcastle BDC 12.33 12.28 12.73 13.58 12.46 10.32 10.23 9 8.49 8.96 8.57 8.9 
			 Newport BDC 10.32 8.97 9.98 10.63 9.48 9.89 10.16 9.68 9.36 10 31 10.06 9.4 
			 Norwich BDC 22.93 19.16 18.48 18.29 17.04 16.88 16.13 11.68 13.37 13.85 12.13 12.29 
			 Nottingham BDC 18.18 16.09 17.77 17.22 16.93 14.94 15.69 15.6 16.83 15.27 11.86 10.42 
			 Oldham BDC 14.7 14.24 10.77 9.56 9.05 9.31 10.18 8.8 9.28 9.56 9.65 7.76 
			 Peterborough BDC 17.39 15.46 13.87 14.85 14.9 14.75 11.82 10.99 10.74 10.2 10.52 9.3 
			 Plymouth BDC 10.57 9.42 8.81 10.12 9.68 10.28 10.23 11.52 10.09 10.16 9.82 10.22 
			 Preston BDC 10.19 10.93 10.88 11.37 10.39 9.45 10.75 8.93 8.89 9.08 9.34 10.58 
			 Ramsgate BDC 16.6 17.12 16.24 16.21 15.73 14.66 14.7 12.99 12.28 10.72 11.45 9.22 
			 Ravenhurst BDC 18.5 19.18 19.96 17.53 14.37 14.5 14.35 15.3 17.14 16.62 13.73 14.49 
			 Sheffield BDC 13.33 12.63 12.76 12.99 11.88 11.85 11.36 10.17 12.07 11 58 11.65 10.9 
			 St. Austell BDC 14.44 13.49 14.33 13.91 14.59 13.75 15.03 14.01 13.66 12.69 11.56 10.48 
			 St. Helens BDC 10.44 10.01 10.35 11.2 9.2 10.79 12.27 12.01 10.66 9.9 9.73 9.84 
			 Stockton BDC 15.64 14.54 13.03 12.29 11.28 11.04 11.71 10.32 10.33 102 9.24 9.79 
			 Stratford BDC 11.63 10.72 10.37 9.9 9.35 9.54 9.44 9.29 10.96 10.28 10.15 10.13 
			 Sunderland BDC 15.2 14.49 14.7 12.89 11.69 14.35 15.02 9.47 9.11 10.14 9.74 9.56 
			 Totton BDC 14.79 13.87 14.59 13.62 13.95 18.74 18.55 14.09 13.77 13.77 12.4 10.81 
			 Walsall BDC 17.93 15.82 14.34 15.84 11.31 10.77 13.55 12.36 12.81 15.85 12.54 11.39 
			 Watford BDC 19.6 18.66 17.39 19.97 20.25 21.77 16.52 11.8 12.19 11.57 11.13 10.81 
			 Wellingborough BDC 10.66 9.46 10.17 10.05 9.55 9.02 9.59 8.12 7.71 8.37 8.23 7.81 
			 Wolverhampton BDC 14.65 13.39 13.16 11.77 10.07 10.67 10.83 11.15 11.02 11.99 10.63 11.5 
			 Worcester BDC 13.69 11.74 12.41 14.48 13.87 12.76 11.96 12.22 13.42 14.14 12.49 11.05 
			 Worthing BDC 13.27 11.62 13.16 13.43 12.93 12.02 12.25 10.43 9.58 9.6 8.71 8.29 
			 Wrexham BDC 12.94 11.8 10.39 94 8.71 9.09 9.09 8.71 8.51 9.13 8.52 8.19 
			 York BDC 8.84 10.06 11.17 12.69 11.76 12.11 11.44 9.17 9.6 10.11 10.47 9.94 
		
	
	
		
			  Annex 3: JSA by BDC for 2007-08 
			   2007  2008 
			  Benefit delivery centre  Nov  Dec  Jan  Fe b  Mar  Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct 
			 Aberdeen BDC 9.12 10.71 8.83 8.44 7.67 7.65 8.19 9 8.83 7.27 7.51 8.56 
			 Barnsley BDC 9.03 10.03 9.96 8.96 8.78 10.72 10.05 9.94 9.35 9.99 10.02 9.88 
			 Basildon BDC 10.61 10.1 9.68 9.57 8.91 10.73 10.21 10.12 10.85 10.86 8.79 9.06 
			 Bathgate BDC 9 7.99 7.84 8.56 7.62 7.45 6.98 7.82 8.85 10.74 10.8 10.39 
			 Belfast BDC 9.92 10.93 11.38 11.25 10.08 8.99 9.46 11.79 13.02 11.5 12.82 11.09 
			 Birkenhead BDC 9.8 10.08 9.55 9.6 9.85 10.44 9.63 9.78 9.45 8.76 8.87 9.74 
			 Bolton BDC 7.91 9.3 8.81 10.31 9.38 9.26 8.41 8.72 9.2 10.26 9.9 8.63 
			 Bradford BDC 9.55 9.73 9.68 10.13 11.5 12.74 12.25 10.45 11 10.99 10.96 10.08 
			 Bristol BDC 8.94 9.07 8.91 8.89 9.04 9.63 9.7 10.91 10.79 11.51 11.44 11.57 
			 Burnley BDC 8.47 8.58 8.56 9.46 9.21 9.26 10.48 10.53 9.78 9.64 9.65 10.57 
			 Bury St. Edmonds BDC 11.35 13.42 13.39 11.1 10.78 11.18 12.18 11.65 12.09 13.55 10.13 10.33 
			 Caerphilly BDC 7.69 8.6 7.44 7.97 8.83 8.42 7.99 8.45 9.27 9.37 9.19 8.78 
			 Cannock BDC 7.56 8.09 8.4 8.19 7.79 9.29 8.85 9.71 10.22 11.29 12.01 10.38 
			 Canterbury BDC 9.15 9.04 9.91 10.93 11.1 11.27 10.33 10.81 10.13 11.35 12.48 10.35 
			 Carlisle BDC 7.44 7.79 7.59 8.01 7.91 7.97 7.27 7.09 7.46 8.12 7.55 8.69 
			 Chester BDC 6.99 7.87 9.15 7.11 7.38 8.59 8.83 7.62 8.82 8.73 7.5 7.71 
			 Chesterfield BDC 8.53 9.33 10.05 10.42 10.54 12.29 10.42 8.65 10.85 11.8 11.82 12.47 
			 Chippenham BDC 7.43 8.91 8.78 8.48 8.21 7.91 7.05 7.79 8.39 8.74 8.02 8.24 
			 Chorlton BDC 9.17 9.5 10.15 9.12 9.81 9.63 9.1 9.14 9.33 8.58 9.54 9.38 
			 Clyde and Fife BDC 9.57 10.02 8.74 8.22 7.7 8.88 8.66 9.58 12.05 11.06 11.32 10.33 
			 Clydebank BDC 9.39 10.69 9.46 8.81 8.72 9.72 8.81 8.26 10.73 10.23 10.58 10.26 
			 Coatbridge BDC 8.35 9.19 9.11 8.8 9.45 10.57 9.27 8.9 9.71 8.33 8.06 8.47 
			 Cosham BDC 14.86 13.75 11.38 11.9 12.53 12.68 13.12 14.02 14.05 14.4 11.14 12.82 
			 Derby BDC 10.26 10.78 9.75 10.67 11.56 12.14 10.47 9.82 10.64 11.09 11.32 10.4 
			 Doncaster BDC 6.93 8.62 7.6 9.02 8.16 9.78 11.02 11.19 10.81 10.92 8.91 8.07 
			 Exeter BDC 8.6 9.59 10.9 9.31 7.95 8.83 8.77 8.23 8.87 10.52 9.93 9.21 
			 Glasgow BDC (London) 7.84 8.37 8.55 8.82 9.17 8.51 8.32 8.01 7.7 8.11 8 7.59 
			 Gloucester BDC 10.96 10.18 9.83 9.74 8.71 8.77 7.47 7.58 8.55 10.36 9.44 10.53 
			 Greenock BDC 10.81 14.06 11.36 11.12 7.54 6.75 6.24 6.55 7.02 7.46 7.25 7.28 
			 Hackney BDC 8.61 8.37 8.48 8.96 8.71 9.29 8.26 8.93 9.42 9.7 8.55 10.18 
			 Halifax BDC 8.23 8.84 8.57 8.47 9.09 10.08 9.32 10.26 10.85 11.14 10.66 10.11 
			 Handsworth BDC 9.95 8.9 7.95 8.33 8.85 10.97 10.02 9.91 8.43 9.42 7.95 8.16 
			 Hanley BDC 9.92 10.63 10.72 10.81 10.01 10.75 9.97 10.09 11.06 12.74 12.34 14.28 
			 Hastings BDC 17.52 16.65 17.31 14.29 14.21 15.77 15.07 13.91 10.65 10.66 10.46 11.05 
			 Hull BDC 9.21 10.19 9.47 9.01 7.42 7.4 7.63 8.51 9.41 9.04 7.73 7.31 
			 Huyton BDC 7.66 7.85 7.34 7.32 7.87 7.61 7.14 7.18 7.16 7 6.7 6.79 
			 Hyde BDC 8.24 9.54 9.56 9.67 11.19 11.91 8.31 9.16 9.7 9.17 9.55 8.7 
			 Ilford BDC 10.17 10.87 11.31 11.83 12.45 12.64 11.31 11.69 12.69 14.61 12.46 11.21 
			 Kilmarnock BDC 9.82 9.16 8.93 10.43 8.35 8.64 10.16 9.95 10.8 9.89 8.23 8.54 
			 Leeds BDC 12.12 10.78 9.91 10.82 9.76 12.03 11.35 9.29 10.28 10.99 10.52 8.92 
			 Leicester BDC 8.89 11.07 11.08 10,64 10.39 10.8 11.03 9.1 9.35 10.36 9.68 11.27 
			 Llanelli BDC 7.87 7.65 7.04 7.26 6.62 6.66 6.13 5.92 6.6 6.05 6.37 6.59 
			 Makerfield BDC 11.72 12.63 12.78 10.93 11.52 13.51 12.51 11.84 11.11 12.53 11.85 12.66 
			 Mansfield BDC 10.31 10.07 10.5 10.31 10.53 13.21 11.73 10.45 12.15 11.87 11.12 10.87 
			 Merthyr Tydfil BDC 8.45 8.21 8.68 8.39 7.7 6.64 6.79 6.83 7.55 7 6.86 6.55 
			 Newcastle BDC 7.02 7.68 8.13 7.99 7.82 7.58 7.66 8.62 8.84 8.72 9.69 8.19 
			 Newport BDC 8.44 10.82 11.63 12.93 10.94 9.76 8.66 9.02 10.24 11.67 11.34 11.4 
			 Norwich BDC 10.68 10.76 10.76 10.67 10.1 11.89 10.45 11.04 11.76 11.54 10.26 10.89 
			 Nottingham BDC 10.03 11.83 12.4 14.02 13.19 12.84 13.98 13.58 12.61 12.07 12.49 13.2 
			 Oldham BDC 7.93 9.15 9.39 8.74 8.25 10 9.34 10.77 12.92 11.41 10.32 10.48 
			 Peterborough BDC 9.64 10.11 10.63 11.18 10.89 10.61 10.52 10.8 10.45 9.85 9.03 8.22 
			 Plymouth BDC 9.7 10.27 9.75 9.09 9.71 9.1 9.69 10.48 10.88 11.23 9.85 9.69 
			 Preston BDC 8.94 9.81 9.3 9.03 8.79 9.15 8.84 9.39 8.91 9.53 9.29 9.68 
			 Ramsgate BDC 7.55 8.25 8.89 8.35 9.05 11.23 10 8.82 10.39 11.34 10.49 10.05 
			 Ravenhurst BDC 12.96 12.43 14.82 13.83 10.53 11.16 11.99 11.25 10.53 10.58 10.43 11.17 
			 Sheffield BDC 8.87 9.58 9.69 9.97 10.25 11.3 10.05 9.86 9.78 9.69 9.5 8.51 
			 St. Austell BDC 10.26 9.67 9.98 10.75 9.4 9.61 9.86 10.34 11.57 11.99 10.14 10.16 
			 St. Helens BDC 7.49 7.43 7.33 7.65 7.78 7.62 7.39 9.8 9.24 10.26 8.45 8.4 
			 Stockton BDC 8.45 9.52 8.88 8.69 8.44 9 8.88 9.51 9.85 9.71 10.15 9.97 
			 Stratford BDC 9.63 9.57 9.44 8.96 9.53 9.29 10.82 11.43 11.68 11.69 11.53 11.97 
			 Sunderland BDC 8.86 9.25 8.65 8.81 7.84 8.03 7.23 7.53 8.45 8.82 9.43 10.54 
			 Totton BDC 9.52 9.64 10.18 10.95 11.08 11.77 13.11 13.97 10.47 10.22 10.66 11.48 
			 Walsall BDC 7.82 8.15 7.71 7.39 7.13 7.49 6.81 7.76 7.89 8.46 9.7 8.54 
			 Watford BDC 9.56 10.1 9.17 9.17 8.78 9.64 9.31 9.32 10.22 10.18 9.79 10.04 
			 Wellingborough BDC 7.06 7.61 7.68 8.59 8.37 7.91 7.85 8.08 8.13 8.65 6.82 6.68 
			 Wolverhampton BDC 9.96 10.49 10.69 10.53 9.53 10.86 10.83 11.18 10.8 11.68 10.06 10.11 
			 Worcester BDC 7.88 10.46 10.02 9.03 7.91 8.65 8.53 8.39 10.02 11.41 11.63 11.24 
			 Worthing BDC 7.29 7.79 8.54 8.43 8.53 9.22 10.73 11.72 12.11 12.09 12.39 13.76 
			 Wrexham BDC 7.99 8.15 8.04 8.32 8.62 8.74 7.96 7.73 8.43 8.79 8.32 7.96 
			 York BDC 9.4 7.43 7.47 7.56 7.11 9.01 9.47 10.15 10.94 9.54 9.16 10.05 
		
	
	
		
			  Annex 4: IS by BDC 2006-07 
			   2006  2007 
			  Business delivery centre  Nov  Dec  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct 
			 Aberdeen BDC 6.55 6.13 6.46 7.23 6.49 7.4 7.54 7.41 7.18 8.55 8.21 7.62 
			 Barnsley BDC 10.7 6.73 7.15 8.46 8.19 8.59 8.83 8.62 7.92 7.72 7.55 7.64 
			 Basildon BDC 20.74 19.22 13.35 11.16 11.41 11.09 10.78 11.79 9.98 9.66 9.51 10.65 
			 Bathgate BDC 9.6 10.46 9.61 8.49 9.29 8.37 11.31 11.23 9.96 7.97 9.05 8.06 
			 Belfast BDC 12.45 9.43 7.83 6.17 535 6.95 7.02 8.01 9.09 9.26 10.25 11.15 
			 Birkenhead BDC 8.97 8.87 9.76 9.36 8.56 9.79 10.34 10.83 10.33 10.11 10.71 10.98 
			 Bolton BDC 9.86 10.13 9.99 9.34 8.57 7.21 8.44 8.95 7.6 8.06 8.39 9.34 
			 Bradford BDC 9.83 8.83 8.46 7.1 7.71 11.12 12.45 12.37 11.04 13.05 10.19 10.3 
			 Bristol BDC 13.46 14.72 16.57 15.06 9.96 8.01 9.21 8.45 7.51 7.88 7.53 8.42 
			 Burnley BDC 11.41 10.25 11.83 11.16 9.8 9.86 10.11 8.61 10,42 11.68 10.68 12.88 
			 Bury St. Edmonds BDC 27.29 25.5 11.58 9.54 9.88 8.49 16.75 9.8 10.3 10.51 10 10.13 
			 Caerphilly BDC 7.51 8.55 8.08 7.09 7.13 7.21 7.15 5.47 5.85 6.24 5.98 6.12 
			 Cannock BDC 9.35 7.91 7.12 7.85 6.8 6.48 7.25 8.66 12.36 16.24 17.19 11.64 
			 Canterbury BDC 14.42 16.19 15.38 12.35 13.45 12.53 12.52 12.15 11.91 12.25 11.94 10.88 
			 Carlisle BDC 8.45 6.86 6.23 5.71 6.67 6.53 5.97 7.35 7.14 6.65 6.28 5.66 
			 Chester BDC 8.07 8.2 8.19 6.24 6.91 7.78 8.59 9.02 9.14 7.96 10.73 11.54 
			 Chesterfield BDC 10.25 9.54 9.92 8.07 8.62 10.8 9.28 9.72 11.45 13.76 11.7 11.42 
			 Chippenham BDC 7.83 7.62 6.9 6.96 8.44 11.29 9.94 6.75 7.91 7.39 7.05 6.69 
			 Chorlton BDC 9.92 10.22 11.97 10.75 9.79 8.84 10.42 9.51 8.55 9.41 11.24 13.98 
			 Clyde and Fife BDC 9.35 8.74 9 9.32 9.54 10.42 13 13.66 10.71 8.77 8.7 9.5 
			 Clydebank BDC 10.92 11.98 10.38 8.8 7.89 10.01 9.04 8.4 10.17 9.9 13.58 8.05 
			 Coatbridge BDC 7.58 7.02 8.32 8.41 7.88 8.77 9.84 8.09 10.5 8.93 9.01 7.62 
			 Cosham BDC 12.39 9.21 706 6.45 6.33 6.42 11.26 13.11 13.52 15.69 15.88 15.71 
			 Derby BDC 9.48 10.35 11.4 12.23 11.11 9.83 9.91 11.01 9.29 9.97 8.85 10.32 
			 Doncaster BDC 11.84 11.4 10.55 9.14 8.05 9.3 8.74 8.25 6.38 5.6 5.44 6.24 
			 Exeter BDC 6.23 7.51 11.25 8.91 8.49 10.01 7.72 7.03 7.94 8.13 6.72 5.81 
			 Glasgow BDC (London) 8.86 7,03 6.44 6.17 7.38 6.43 6.41 6.88 7.14 7.16 7.06 6.82 
			 Gloucester BDC 11.2 11.75 10.67 9.73 13.5 12.9 12.28 10.68 7.94 8.83 9.71 8.52 
			 Greenock BDC 3.81 4.07 3.82 4.71 5.9 5.91 7.4 3.84 5.43 7.26 7.52 8.17 
			 Hackney BDC 14.26 14.2 15.09 10.41 8.59 11.07 11.65 11.82 11.63 10.73 10.28 13.01 
			 Halifax BDC 16.7 14.9 14.52 12.26 12.17 14.65 12.27 10.54 9.29 10.65 9.39 9.36 
			 Handsworth BDC 14.56 14 14.69 8.51 9.01 12.29 10.52 10.33 9.67 9.48 12.79 9.31 
			 Hanley BDC 12.24 11.22 11.38 11.01 10.78 10.63 11.04 11.79 9.92 10.6 10.94 10.78 
			 Hastings BDC 15.88 11.87 14.82 16.36 15.68 18.48 16.95 17.73 21.05 23.2 19.76 14.08 
			 Hull BDC 10.56 9.51 11.45 8.76 10.02 14.77 14.6 9.06 8.6 9.65 8.77 7.32 
			 Huyton BDC 10.17 8.45 7.94 9.96 7.85 9.71 11.39 11.3 11.3 11.91 12.12 10.59 
			 Hyde BDC 9.5 8.11 7.45 7.07 7.09 7.02 7.55 7.71 8.62 10.09 9.73 10.25 
			 Ilford BDC 10.16 7.99 6.85 6.69 6.89 7.28 8.95 8.91 8.13 8.72 9.28 10.1 
			 Kilmarnock BDC 10.05 9.85 11.12 11.95 8.92 10.78 9.96 9.74 11.01 10.58 10.83 11.12 
			 Leeds BDC 10.92 9.93 8.36 8.86 7.58 10.01 9.97 8.86 8.13 8.89 9.49 10.13 
			 Leicester BDC 11.11 7.71 7.76 7.38 8.27 10.57 11.15 10.69 9.84 8.97 8.95 8.32 
			 Lincoln BDC 12.62 7.75 7.71 11.52 13.56 12.76 13.66 12.23 10.42 8.35 8.14 6.4 
			 Llanelli BDC 8.14 7.09 10.39 8.52 5.45 5.43 7.09 8.78 8.53 8.54 7.62 6.84 
			 Luton BDC 16.58 12.9 9.51 7.77 7.21 8.51 7.1 7.75 10.8 10.37 10.72 8.87 
			 Makerfield BDC 14.51 11.3 9.56 8.77 8.06 9.11 9.83 9.43 9.65 10.2 10 11.57 
			 Mansfield BDC 11.16 11.32 10.2 9.96 10.53 14 12.78 14.49 12.57 12.41 10.86 10.72 
			 Merthyr Tydfil BDC 10.32 9.27 8.54 7.28 6.7 6.58 8.33 8.22 6.82 6.75 7.9 7.07 
			 Newcastle BDC 6.79 8.15 6.85 5.31 4.24 5.48 6.13 5.07 6.09 5.52 4.93 5.09 
			 Newport BDC 10.89 9.58 12.31 9.76 10.82 11.29 11.52 11.72 11.87 13.11 13.89 12.05 
			 Norwich BDC 16.16 14.73 11.33 10.66 11.61 11.34 14.23 13.07 15.11 12.74 12.76 8.93 
			 Nottingham BDC 11.2 9.98 7.16 6.44 6.59 7.24 9.17 10.73 10.72 9.8 10.09 10.42 
			 Oldham BDC 11.26 7.62 8.41 7.08 7.8 7.78 8.55 8.7 8.97 8.75 8.36 9.4 
			 Peterborough BDC 19.21 11.88 11.82 9.68 9.53 10.6 10.74 10.87 10.42 10.17 10.65 11.4 
			 Plymouth BDC 12.14 11.92 11.81 12.52 14.45 14.81 14.5 12.72 10.03 6.59 7.29 7.48 
			 Preston BDC 11 37 10.24 7.91 8.01 9.29 9 9.91 9.36 9.55 8.93 10.47 10.84 
			 Ramsgate BDC 10.28 11.78 8.7 10.01 8.32 10.37 7.88 6.69 6.43 6.21 6.18 7.17 
			 Ravenhurst BDC 15.56 15.04 13.73 11.44 10.65 12.03 12.24 12.13 12.49 16.2 11.91 10.09 
			 Sheffield BDC 1026 7.51 8.16 9.63 8.44 8.7 9.5 8.93 7.88 7.73 7.56 8.4 
			 St. Austell BDC 10.82 10.44 10.96 10.73 8.97 10.86 10.76 11,79 10.21 9.52 8.11 9.65 
			 St. Helens BDC 8.9 8.98 7.78 8.86 7.2 8.29 8.49 7,34 6.66 8.04 6.16 6.49 
			 Stockton BDC 11.01 9.12 8.37 7.75 9.02 8.17 8.83 8.89 7.9 8.03 7.17 6.83 
			 Stratford BDC 7.75 7.63 7.72 7.95 7.47 9.99 9.64 7.41 8.53 9.15 9.54 8.39 
			 Sunderland BDC 7.94 7.71 6.73 5.92 6.71 5.92 6.85 7.41 6.75 6.61 6.72 6.8 
			 Totton BDC 8.31 7.06 7.04 6.61 6.06 5.71 5.85 5.48 6.38 6.17 6.01 7.46 
			 Walsall BDC 10.98 9.27 6.93 6.67 6.62 6.11 6.65 7.1 8.06 8 7 7.56 
			 Watford BDC 11.01 8.12 7.79 7.27 7.47 8.67 11.08 11.09 10.68 10.96 9.78 10.9 
			 Wellingborough BDC 11.18 8.28 6.9 5.7 5.95 6.33 6.16 5.97 8.43 9.47 8.83 8.44 
			 Wolverhampton BDC 9.94 10.54 8.77 6.97 7.1 6.99 6.63 7.7 7.62 8.91 10.43 12.27 
			 Worcester BDC 18.15 10.55 11.41 12.37 11.89 11.32 11.16 11.66 13.16 14.3 9.88 7.35 
			 Worthing BDC 13.05 10.99 10.33 10.75 10.06 9.84 10.46 9.65 10.55 12.77 13.69 14.01 
			 Wrexham BDC 9.12 9.46 9.16 10.2 9.65 8.48 10.01 8.6 8.11 7.74 6.65 7.38 
			 York BDC 12.13 12.78 9.98 8.19 7.31 9.61 9.97 7.18 7.4 8.34 8.57 10.17 
		
	
	
		
			  Annex 5: IS by BDC 2007-08 
			   2007  2008 
			  Benefit delivery centre  Nov  Dec  Jan  Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct 
			 Aberdeen BDC 7.63 7.89 7.67 8.14 9.51 9.63 8.83 6.26 5.52 5.24 5.38 5.22 
			 Barnsley BDC 6.88 8.16 9.08 8.46 7.88 7.71 7.03 7.45 8.11 8.06 8.1 7.81 
			 Basildon BDC 11.69 10.39 8.51 7.88 7.32 7.55 8.09 9.1 7.84 8.58 8.73 9.37 
			 Bathgate BDC 7.35 7.56 7.71 7.09 7.18 7.61 7.09 7.89 7.72 6.89 7.58 5.38 
			 Belfast BDC 10.94 10.51 11.41 9.77 9.11 9.75 8.23 7.98 8.06 9.24 9.92 8.73 
			 Birkenhead BDC 9.44 9.81 9.16 8.05 8.28 8.21 9.13 9.37 9.27 9.34 9.25 8.47 
			 Bolton BDC 7.11 6.79 5.61 6.56 6.74 6.47 6.79 6,59 6.4 7.06 8.24 11.44 
			 Bradford BDC 7.8 7.83 7.8 6.91 6.85 6.9 9.13 9 7.79 8.27 9.34 9.6 
			 Bristol BDC 8.1 10.07 8.65 8.32 8.92 9.98 11.13 10.84 9.03 8.98 10.46 9.87 
			 Burnley BDC 11.73 10.35 9.77 6.48 7.02 6.91 6.61 6.95 8.56 9.94 9.08 8.25 
			 Bury St. Edmonds BDC 10.46 10.54 9.68 10.34 8.34 6.97 9.88 9.57 9.88 9.85 10.03 10.93 
			 Caerphilly BDC 5.31 6.61 5.09 5.27 6.44 5.44 5.93 5.77 5.69 6.54 6.61 7.38 
			 Cannock BDC 11.2 11.82 12.07 9.86 10.72 10.57 10.39 10.32 10.17 7.79 8.8 10.18 
			 Canterbury BDC 13.99 12.21 9.72 9.86 12.94 11.86 3.51 5.46 8.46 10.09 11.11 11.55 
			 Carlisle BDC 6.48 6.62 5.78 6.28 7.85 7.27 6.4 7.38 7.17 9.77 10.08 9.01 
			 Chester BDC 13.43 13.05 9.74 7.44 7.37 8.9 9.16 8.54 9.87 9.25 8.32 8.86 
			 Chesterfield BDC 10.23 8.57 7.55 7.93 7.29 6.8 6.38 6.63 6.38 6.63 6.66 6.98 
			 Chippenham BDC 5.43 6.72 7.18 7.37 7.65 7 7.03 7.6 8.45 7.99 7.38 7.78 
			 Chorlton BDC 13.88 15.07 9.41 7.96 7.45 8.36 10.48 10.59 11.43 10.05 11.88 12.1 
			 Clyde and Fife BDC 8.88 9.99 8.91 7.74 8.12 9.37 8.19 8.86 9.95 8.2 6.81 8.19 
			 Clydebank BDC 6.56 6.87 7.85 7.96 6.37 6.21 6.96 5.57 6.69 6.34 8.51 6.08 
			 Coatbridge BDC 6.19 7.68 8.1 5.97 6.27 5.43 5.28 5.85 6.18 4.88 5.64 5.25 
			 Cosham BDC 16.34 16.68 14.96 10.35 12.32 11.58 11.48 8.23 10.15 11.82 10.44 12.56 
			 Derby BDC 9.51 10.91 10.59 9.42 8.45 8.79 8.91 8.36 7.55 7.13 7.59 8.58 
			 Doncaster BDC 5.67 5.44 5.71 5.39 4.53 5.6 5.48 5.63 4.84 5.59 5.78 5.02 
			 Exeter BDC 5 6.68 6.53 7.27 8.66 8.36 7.36 6.86 7.69 8.58 8.44 9.14 
			 Glasgow BDC (London) 7.43 6.9 6.99 5.94 5.77 6.13 6.53 6.67 7.35 7.36 8.04 8.23 
			 Gloucester BDC 10.64 11.87 7.93 6.99 8.04 9.06 10.5 8.78 8.35 9.73 8.68 9.33 
			 Greenock BDC 8.88 7.77 7.42 5.1 5.41 5.18 5.34 5.02 6.15 6.74 6.75 4.91 
			 Hackney BDC 10.13 11.6 12.22 11.38 7.33 8.49 7.85 9.27 9.97 8.33 9.96 12.67 
			 Halifax BDC 9.28 10.06 8.63 7.97 7.25 8.57 7.44 6.45 7.48 7.58 7.21 7.47 
			 Handsworth BDC 7.76 6.86 7.54 4.89 5.33 7.39 8.69 8.78 8.88 8.35 8.22 7.92 
			 Hanley BDC 9.82 10.89 10.57 8.83 8.79 12.71 9.67 7.27 8.78 7.96 7.77 9.5 
			 Hastings BDC 11.99 11.79 11.83 11.54 11.47 10.21 10.04 9.68 9.42 9.07 12.29 13.08 
			 Hull BDC 6.06 6.27 6.01 5.78 5.7 5.5 5.5 6.18 5.28 5.33 5.6 5.83 
			 Huyton BDC 5.43 6.72 6.61 5.71 6.77 7.6 9.07 10.03 7.16 7.1 8.7 8.94 
			 Hyde BDC 10.04 9.83 10.28 8.54 9 8.73 9.66 9.03 9.19 8.07 7.41 8.36 
			 Ilford BDC 10.28 11.63 11.1 9.74 9.98 8.9 8.25 9.56 10.54 11.06 10.04 9.39 
			 Kilmarnock BDC 10.64 9.23 7.43 7.19 6.64 8.68 8.69 8.44 7.86 8.2 7.74 8.1 
			 Leeds BDC 9.21 8.77 8.46 8.54 7.94 7.5 6.46 6.28 6.52 6.85 6.74 7.42 
			 Leicester BDC 7.91 8.79 7.55 8.05 8.28 9.48 10.49 9.9 9.26 8.22 9.4 9.13 
			 Lincoln BDC 6.08 8.21 7.28 7.19 8.09 8.07 8.88 9.3 8.69 8.23 8.88 7.62 
			 Llanelli BDC 6.36 7.45 6.16 5.86 5.66 5.81 6.18 6.36 5.64 5.66 6.88 5.92 
			 Luton BDC 9.88 10.46 9.87 9.54 8.69 10.39 10.07 10.21 8.93 9.12 8.23 9.69 
			 Makerfield BDC 10.9 11.68 11.8 8.66 9.32 9.49 10.13 9.94 9.35 8.87 9.07 9.14 
			 Mansfield BDC 9.56 10.56 10.64 9.05 8.34 7.07 9.02 9.9 10.14 9.2 9.08 10.78 
			 Merthyr Tydfil BDC 5.95 7.64 6.35 6.55 6.75 6.25 6.46 7.51 5.65 5.99 6.17 6.67 
			 Newcastle BDC 5.94 5.91 5.32 5.87 5.71 5.48 4.85 5.42 5.29 4.7 4.67 5.42 
			 Newport BDC 9.9 11.63 10.19 8.23 8.34 9.78 11.33 10.94 10.86 10.42 11.51 7.66 
			 Norwich BDC 8.72 10.12 11.2 9.95 11.67 11.12 8.8 7.21 7.13 7.07 7.03 7.6 
			 Nottingham BDC 9.53 10.27 10.05 10.85 9.91 11.27 7.33 6.92 6.12 7.91 10.19 11.09 
			 Oldham BDC 8.4 9.51 10.16 8.5 8.67 9.55 9.1 10.34 8.22 9.27 9.3 8.96 
			 Peterborough BDC 9.72 8.6 8.25 6.53 7.81 8.38 8.78 8.43 8 7.92 8.84 7.81 
			 Plymouth BDC 8.45 10.95 11.19 8.85 8.97 10.46 9.84 10.43 9.1 9.8 9.75 9.1o 
			 Preston BDC 10.17 9.46 9.61 9.86 10.55 10.66 10.44 8.53 8.1 7.4 7.63 8.32 
			 Ramsgate BDC 6.27 5.67 4.82 5.19 5.57 5.51 6.84 6.62 7.74 7.97 6.91 7.51 
			 Ravenhurst BDC 12.28 11.94 11.15 9.53 10.79 10.61 10.06 12.3 12.47 7.17 8.1 10.23 
			 Sheffield BDC 7.35 6.85 4.98 4.67 4.54 5.15 5.24 5.17 4.47 4.96 6.04 6.52 
			 St. Austell BDC 9.69 10.01 9.85 8.78 8.06 8.42 8.9 9.58 10.4 11.01 8.02 7.6 
			 St. Helens BDC 6.13 4.66 5.08 5.3 5.21 5.64 6.57 6.69 6.71 6.49 7.54 8.33 
			 Stockton BDC 6.51 7.84 8.13 6.62 6.47 7.95 8.61 8.53 7.33 8.69 9.04 10.5 
			 Stratford BDC 8.27 8.39 8.64 7.25 7.06 7.77 7.6 7.55 7.63 8.28 8.06 7.46 
			 Sunderland BDC 6.48 7.4 6.47 6.18 6.59 6.74 6.58 6.23 6.76 6.58 7.64 7.54 
			 Totton BDC 8.15 8.13 7.46 7.33 7.05 6.64 6.93 6.92 6.38 821 9.22 10.07 
			 Walsall BDC 7.59 10.29 8.75 7.9 8.67 9.73 8.66 7.86 6.73 7.09 7.61 8.94 
			 Watford BDC 10.89 10.65 10.81 10.56 10.48 9.37 9.71 9.38 9.87 9.83 9.56 9.93 
			 Wellingborough BDC 8.31 8.25 8.16 6.83 8.22 7.33 6.5 6.24 6.86 6.71 8.28 6.94 
			 Wolverhampton BDC 12.24 11.42 9.26 8.98 9.54 9.48 9.88 10.63 10.68 10.02 11.42 9.74 
			 Worcester BDC 8.04 9.03 9.39 9.09 8.88 9.33 10 9.91 9.61 9.94 7.74 8.57 
			 Worthing BDC 13.13 15.25 14.03 9.04 13.04 11.52 9.66 8.91 8.54 10.84 12.4 13.78 
			 Wrexham BDC 7.4 8.27 6.59 6.24 6.54 7.34 6.49 6.86 7.69 7.78 7.59 6.8 
			 York BDC 10.68 10.35 9.96 9.13 7.53 9.72 9.59 7.92 7.99 6.96 7.28 7.47

Poverty: Children

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what definition his Department uses of child poverty; when this was last amended; what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on the definition; what recent representations he has received on the definition; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The Department uses three indicators to monitor levels of child poverty; they were established in 2003 following a lengthy period of consultation.
	Absolute low income measures whether the poorest families are seeing their income rise in real terms. The threshold is fixed as equal to the relative low income threshold for the baseline year of 1998-99 expressed in today's prices.
	Relative low income measures whether the incomes of the poorest families are keeping pace with the growth of incomes in the economy as a whole. This indicator measures the number of children living in households below 60 per cent. of contemporary median equivalised income. This is the indicator which is used to measure performance against the public service agreement target to halve child poverty by 2010-11.
	Material deprivation and low income combined provides a wider measure of people's living standards. This indicator measures the number of children living in households that are both materially deprived and have an income below 70 per cent. of contemporary equivalised median income. More details can be found in the consultation conclusion document, Measuring Child Poverty, available in the Library.
	Since 1998 progress has been made against all of the indicators. 600,000 children have been lifted out of relative low income between 1998-99 and 2006-07, a shift from 3.4 million children to 2.9 million children. The number of children living in absolute low income has halved from 3.4 million to 1.7 million. Between 2004-05, the first year data was available, and 2006-07 the number of children in the UK defined as poor using the combined indicator of relative low income and material deprivation fell by 200,000 from 2.2 million to 2.0 million on the particular material deprivation threshold that was chosen.
	Low income is not the only dimension to poverty and a child's quality of life, including access to health care, education and a safe environment, are critical. The three indicators are therefore underpinned by the broader Opportunity for all indicators. Opportunity for all is the Government's report on poverty and social exclusion which includes a wide range of poverty and social exclusion indicators for children and young people (as well as working age adults, older people and communities) including health, education and housing. Details can be found on the Opportunity for all website at:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/ofa
	While we have made substantial progress in tackling child poverty we are not complacent. Despite the scale of the challenge the Government's commitment is stronger than ever. The Prime Minister's recent announcement of our intention to legislate on child poverty gives us renewed impetus.
	The Secretary of State meets regularly with Cabinet colleagues and others on the issue of child poverty. The Child Poverty Unit was established at the end of 2007 to put a sharper focus on cross-Government working to develop a truly integrated approach to tackling child poverty. The Government are committed to working with stakeholders to develop a strategy and move forward with legislation.

Social Security Benefits: Lone Parents

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average sum to be lent under the Lone Parent Transition Loans in the next 12 months; what assessment he has made of the effect on this figure of changes to the eligibility rules for income support; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: No such estimate has been made. However, we have now decided to amend social fund crisis loan directions to enable lone parents to receive payment of a transition loan of up to 100 per cent. of their personal allowance rather than 75 per cent. as is the case with existing crisis loans.

Unemployment Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance has been issued to staff at Jobcentre Plus on whether claimants should be awarded employment and support allowance or jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what guidance has been issued to staff at Jobcentre Plus on whether claimants should be awarded Employment and Support Allowance or Jobseeker's Allowance. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus has provided its business delivery areas, i.e. Contact Centres, Jobcentres and Benefit Delivery Centres, with detailed guidance that clearly sets out the criteria and conditionality for claiming and awarding Employment and Support Allowance, and the administrative procedures for dealing with these claims.
	Corresponding guidance on other benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance has been revised to reflect the introduction of Employment and Support Allowance to provide clarity and consistency across benefits, which enables staff to identify potential entitlement to the appropriate benefit, and advise customers accordingly.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crime: Offensive Weapons

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on recent trends in rates of prosecution of knife crime in  (a) Northamptonshire and  (b) England.

Vera Baird: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) holds no comprehensive record covering all offences in which a knife was a factor. Relevant offences may be prosecuted under a range of legislation, and cannot be distinguished as a discrete body of information.
	CPS records do provide a count of the number of offences of possession of an offensive weapon, including knives and other bladed articles, in respect of which a prosecution commenced. Figures for the last three calendar years are summarised on the table below. The figures also include offences of possession of weapons other than knives and bladed articles, but CPS records do not allow these proceedings to be identified separately. Figures are shown separately for CPS Northamptonshire, for England, and for England and Wales in total.
	The level of prosecutions for these offences in total has risen somewhat over the last three years. In Northamptonshire the number of offences in which a prosecution commenced rose by 25, or 12.3 per cent. between 2006 and 2008, although there was no change between 2007 and 2008. In England, prosecutions rose over the three year same period by 1,648 (7.2 per cent.), and in England and Wales they increased by 1,656 (6.9 per cent.).
	
		
			  Offences of possession of a knife or bladed weapon which reached a hearing in magistrates' courts 
			  Table (a): CPS Northamptonshire 
			   2006  2007  2008 
			 Criminal Justice Act 1988 S139 (possession of a bladed weapon in public) 98 115 118 
			 Criminal Justice Act 1988 S139A (possession of a bladed weapon in schools) 0 0 3 
			 Prevention of Crime Act 1953 { 1(1)} (possession of "any offensive weapon." These figures may include some offences relating to bladed weapons, but these cannot be identified separately.) 106 114 108 
			 Total offences 204 229 229 
		
	
	
		
			  Table (b): England 
			   2006  2007  2008 
			 Criminal Justice Act 1988 S139 (possession of a bladed weapon in public) 10,556 10,620 12,567 
			 Criminal Justice Act 1988 S139A (possession of a bladed weapon in schools) 174 174 233 
			 Prevention of Crime Act 1953 { 1(1)} (possession of "any offensive weapon." These figures may include some offences relating to bladed weapons, but these cannot be identified separately.) 12,103 11,544 11,681 
			 Total offences 22,833 22,338 24,481 
		
	
	
		
			  Table (c): England and Wales 
			   2006  2007  2008 
			 Criminal Justice Act 1988 S139 (possession of a bladed weapon in public) 11,118 11,185 13,205 
			 Criminal Justice Act 1988 S139A (possession of a bladed weapon in schools) 188 179 240 
			 Prevention of Crime Act 1953 { 1(1)} (possession of "any offensive weapon." These figures may include some offences relating to bladed weapons, but these cannot be identified separately.) 12,846 12,263 12,363 
			 Total offences 24,152 23,627 25,808

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on ammunition for operations in Helmand province in each month since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Operation Herrick (Afghanistan) costs are prepared and audited on an annual basis for the whole of the operation and do not identify separately information on the cost of ammunition used in Helmand Province, where UK operations began in 2006-07. The un-audited internal data on the consumption of ordnance-related stock for the whole operation in 2006-07 and 2007-08 is:
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Afghanistan  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Guided weapons, missiles and bombs 47 57 
			 Armament Stores 69 121 
			 Total 116 178 
			  Notes: 1. These costs include the use of ammunition expended during pre-deployment training. 2. Armament stores mainly relate to ammunition and shells but can also include such items as the issue of small arms.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the cost to the public purse of UK military intervention in Afghanistan in each year since it began.

John Hutton: The total annual audited cost of operations in Afghanistan are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Afghanistan 
			  £ million 
			  
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  Total  to date 
			 Resource costs 187 236 36 58 148 560 1,071 1,511 3,807 
			 Capital costs 34 75 10 9 51 178 433 807 1,597 
			 Total 221 311 46 67 199 738 1,504 2,318 5,404 
		
	
	MOD identifies the costs of operations in terms of the net additional costs it has incurred. The costs that would have been incurred regardless of the operation taking place, such as wages and salaries, are not included. Savings on activities that have not occurred because of the operation—such as training exercises—are taken into account in arriving at the net figures.
	 Note: The figures for 2008-09 are unaudited estimates reflected in the Winter Supplementary Estimates published in November.

Aircraft Carriers

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what fuel will be used to power the new aircraft carriers; and what their home port will be.

Quentin Davies: The Future Aircraft Carriers (HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales) will be powered using marine diesel fuel. Their home port will be Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth.

Armed Forces: Housing

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the most recent estimate is of the number of  (a) single living accommodation and  (b) service families accommodation units containing asbestos.

Kevan Jones: Although information on asbestos in accommodation is available, it is not held centrally or in a consistent form and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Housing

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints were made to Modern Housing Solutions on the quality of repairs undertaken on service families accommodation in the last 12 months.

Kevan Jones: A total of 508 complaints were received by Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) between 1 January and 31 December 2008 specifically about the standard of workmanship.
	MHS is responsible for the maintenance and repair of approximately 45,000 service family accommodation properties in England and Wales.

Armed Forces: Internet

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether  (a) the Army and  (b) his Department has received (i) complaints from members of the public and (ii) communications from police forces about content posted on internet social networking sites by serving Army personnel;
	(2)  what measures  (a) the Army and  (b) his Department have in place to monitor content posted on internet social networking sites by serving Army personnel; how many instances of sectarian or racist postings by soldiers have been identified; and whether any Army personnel have been disciplined as a consequence of such activities.

Bob Ainsworth: While certain websites are monitored to gauge opinion in response to events, neither the Army nor the Ministry of Defence has procedures routinely to monitor material posted by Army personnel on internet social networking sites.
	There are no records of the Army or the Ministry of Defence having received communications from police forces about content on such sites, but during 2008, the Ministry of Defence received a very small number of complaints from members of the public regarding postings allegedly by serving Army personnel. Of those, only two cases were found actually to involve serving personnel and alleged sectarian or racist behaviour. In both cases, following thorough investigations, formal disciplinary action was deemed inappropriate.

Armed Forces: Manpower

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) required and  (b) actual trained strength of each (i) regular infantry and (ii) Royal Marine battalion is.

Bob Ainsworth: Figures for Infantry battalions are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Division  Unit  Required strength  Actual strength 
			 Guards 1 Grenadier Guards 541 480 
			  1 Coldstream Guards 535 489 
			  1 Scots Guards 605 464 
			  1 Irish Guards 541 473 
			  1 Welsh Guards 535 480 
			 
			 Scots 1 Scots 541 543 
			  2 Scots 535 474 
			  3 Scots 539 446 
			  4 Scots 608 460 
			  5 Scots 556 458 
			 
			 Queens 1 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment 608 524 
			  2 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment 533 460 
			  1 Royal Regt Fusiliers 605 491 
			  2 Royal Regt Fusiliers 533 419 
			  1 Royal Anglian 577 590 
			  2 Royal Anglian 539 495 
			 Kings
			  1 Lancs 577 548 
			  2 Lancs 524 503 
			  1 Yorks 539 458 
			  2 Yorks 533 400 
			  3 Yorks 605 466 
			 
			 PoW 1 Mercian 539 430 
			  2 Mercian 533 493 
			  3 Mercian 576 514 
			  1 Royal Welsh 533 452 
			  2 Royal Welsh 605 487 
			 
			 Rifles 1 Rifles 533 542 
			  2 Rifles 533 534 
			  3 Rifles 533 541 
			  4 Rifles 577 557 
			  5 Rifles 605 600 
			 
			 RI 1 Royal Irish 554 448 
			 
			 Para 1 Para 349 497 
			  2 Para 556 506 
			  3 Para 556 507 
		
	
	In addition to the battalions shown in the previous table there are three incremental Guards companies which are primarily for public duties but which can also be used to augment the other Guards battalions as required:
	
		
			  Unit  Required strength  Actual strength 
			 N Coy Grenadier Guards 101 101 
			 7 Coy Coldstream Guards 101 84 
			 F Coy Scots Guards 101 97 
		
	
	Figures for Royal Marine Commandos units are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Unit  Required strength  Actual strength 
			 40 Cdo RM 703 546 
			 42 Cdo RM 703 701 
			 45 Cdo RM 703 825

Armed Forces: Training

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel at each grade or rank are working within his Department and the armed services on the delivery of the defence training contract awarded to Metrix.

Bob Ainsworth: The number of Defence personnel who are employed in the Defence Training Review (DTR) Package 1 Integrated Project Team to deliver the DTR Package 1 contract are as follows:
	 Military Personnel:
	Brigadier x one
	Captain RN x one
	Commander x one
	Wing Commander x one
	Lt Colonel x two
	Major x one
	Warrant Officer two x two
	Lt Commander x two
	Squadron Leader x one
	Ministry of Defence Police Chief Inspector x one
	 Civil Service Personnel:
	Bl x two
	B2 x three
	Cl x l0
	C2 x five
	D x four
	El x two

Armed Forces: Training

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what revisions have been made to the timetable and the budget for the delivery of package 1 of the defence training contract awarded to Metrix; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: No further revisions have been made to the timetable and budget for defence training review package 1 since my statement on 9 October 2008,  Official Report, column 453.
	The Metrix consortium's revised proposals have been received and are being evaluated. Only once the evaluation process has concluded can any definitive judgment be made for the future programme.

Armed Forces: Training

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the requirements are that form the basis of the request his Department has made to Metrix to submit a revised plan for package 1 of the defence training contract.

Bob Ainsworth: The requirements of the request to Metrix were to formally establish an affordable package 1 and confirm that the project can be delivered, and is commercially and technically compliant. The request did not seek a full resubmission of the Metrix bid, but instead asked for responses to a number of key project issues across work streams that have changed since the Preferred Bidder announcement and have the potential to affect the project's performance, cost or timetable.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect of the Warrior Fightability and Lethality Improvement Programme on the Defence Support Group; and what partnering arrangements are being considered;
	(2)  what procurement arrangements have been made for the Warrior Fightability and Lethality Improvement Programme; and if he will make a statement.

Quentin Davies: The Warrior Fightability and Lethality Improvement Programme is part of the wider Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP), which will upgrade the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle to meet the current and future requirements of the British Army. The programme is in the early stages of its Acquisition Cycle and, as it progresses into its Assessment Phase, it is planned that bidders will develop hardware demonstrators of their turret proposals, along with supporting technical and commercial submissions for further consideration. As the programme has not yet passed the Initial Gate approval point, I am unable to comment further on the proposed procurement arrangements or on the programme's effect on the Defence Support Group at this time.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reasons were for the decision to restructure the Future Rapid Effects System programme.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the Equipment Examination written ministerial statement given on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, column 65WS.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on commercial conditions affecting General Dynamics UK's ability to procure the Piranha V contract; and if he will support General Dynamics UK in bidding for the contract.

Quentin Davies: The withdrawal of General Dynamics (UK)'s provisional preferred bidder status for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) Utility Vehicle Design was announced to this House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 11 December 2008, as part of a statement outlining the results of the Equipment Examination. This decision followed a period of intensive negotiations with GD (UK), including correspondence with the company, to address a number of commercial issues, during which it became clear to both parties that it would not be possible to reach agreement on the commercial conditions required to enable further progress on the basis of the current procurement strategy. The Department will now consider how and when to reset the Utility Vehicle competition to ensure we provide Defence with the best possible capability at the best value for money. General Dynamics (UK) will have an opportunity to compete in any future Utility Vehicle competition.

Charities

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which  (a) charities and  (b) voluntary organisations his Department has provided funding in the last five years; and how much funding was provided to each.

Kevan Jones: The information is not held in the format requested. Data has been collected, however, as part of a special annual survey exercise carried out across Government on behalf of the Office of the Third Sector (OTS), Cabinet Office. The information provided to the OTS shows the following payments have been made to charities and voluntary organisations in the five years 2001-02 to 2005-06:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Ministry of Defence  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03  2001-02 
			 Estimated total 31,604,000 31,897,000 30,817,000 31,325,000 23,211,000 
			  comprising  
			 Forces' Welfare, inc. sport, other 10,859,000 11,983,000 11,705,000 10,194,000 11,755,000 
			 Vol cadet groups 15,945,000 15,314,000 14,670,000 15,069,000 8,879,000 
			 Museums 4,800,000 4,600,000 4,442,000 6,063,000 2,577,000 
			  Notes:  1. Expenditure on "Forces welfare including sport and other voluntary cadet groups" includes organisations to support service personnel. Their families and veterans, e.g. SSAFA, WRVS, Pre-school Learning Alliance, NAAFI, The Naval Families' Foundation, Help Information Voluntary Exchange (HIVE) and sports bodies.  2. Museums include, for example, the RAF museum and the National Army museum.  3. Voluntary cadet groups refer to those groups run by volunteers in schools, rather than groups based in, for example, Territorial Army premises, and which receive a contribution from the MOD; also to Sea Scouts. These count as uniformed voluntary youth groups, and are accepted as such by MOD and OTS.  4. The figures do not include expenditure by any MOD agencies/NDPBs, e.g. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, or the Met Office.  5. Information on the expenditure to voluntary bodies for the years 2006-07 and 2007-08 is in the process of being collected by MOD.  6. Neither MOD nor the Cabinet Office can guarantee that the figures provided cover the total expenditure with the charities and voluntary sector. The MOD is aiming to provide more comprehensive figures in the collection process which is currently underway for 2006-07, 2007-08 and future years.

Defence Equipment: Procurement

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what progress has been made on developing high performance steel armour; and what plans the Government has to purchase such steel for the armed forces;
	(2)  if his Department will make it its policy to obtain new steel armour from UK manufacturers.

Quentin Davies: High performance steel has been a key constituent of armour for many years. A collaboration between the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Cambridge university and QinetiQ has resulted in the development of a new, high performance armour steel known as Super Bainite. Successful production trials have been completed and we are engaging with UK industry to take production and exploitation forward.
	We have no current plans to alter our policy of sourcing steel armour from suppliers worldwide. This approach ensures the best armour solutions for defence and the best deal for the taxpayer.

Defence Support Group

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the synergy study on the Defence Support Group will be published.

Bob Ainsworth: Work is continuing on the synergy study, with the Defence Support Group currently undertaking to examine the similar work activities carried out at its Sealand, Stafford and Donnington sites. This study's aim is to explore the potential benefits for Defence resulting from the merger of the Army Base Repair Organisation and the Defence Aviation Repair Agency to create the Defence Support Group. I will write to my hon. Friend when this work is complete.

Defence Support Group: Apprentices

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of new apprenticeships the Defence Support Group plans to commission at Donnington, Shropshire in 2009; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on expanding the programme to support West Midlands manufacturing in the current economic climate.

Bob Ainsworth: The Defence Support Group management team at Donnington is currently discussing what intake of new apprentices is required for 2009. Intake numbers will be determined by the future needs of the business as well as age profiling of the existing work force. No discussions have taken place about expanding our apprentice programme to support other local manufacturing organisations beyond what is currently being offered.

Departmental Air Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many official journeys  (a) he and his predecessors and  (b) his officials made by plane in each of the last five years.

Kevan Jones: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I can confirm that all travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code respectively.

Departmental Catering

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which  (a) food and  (b) drinks suppliers have been used by his Department in each of the last three years; and how much his Department paid to each such supplier in each of those years.

Bob Ainsworth: Food and drink provision across MOD establishments is usually met through facility management multi-activity contracts, or is contracted out under the Pay As You Dine initiative, in which catering contractors are responsible for sourcing their own food and drink. Details of each supplier and costs are not held centrally and therefore could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	Food and drink for personnel on overseas operations, on UK exercises, and serving on ships and submarines is provided by the MOD single food supply contract with Purple Foodservice Solutions Ltd. (PFS). PFS is required to seek value for money in the open market, consistent with meeting MOD quality standards. Additionally, suppliers of ration pack and in-flight meals and snack components are listed in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Food  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  to date( 1) 
			 BCB Int Ltd. n/a 10,200 36,495 
			 COMPACT AS (Norway) n/a 35,424 n/a 
			 Drytech (Norway) n/a n/a 29,700 
			 Headland food n/a n/a 500,345 
			 Kerry foods Ltd. 128,274 44,518 78,453 
			 Lovering Foods 75,532 174,532 n/a 
			 LSG Sky Chefs UK Ltd. 154,328 n/a n/a 
			 Multi-Pack Foods 682,800 340,082 1,139,983 
			 NAAFI 452,220 323,493 383,329 
			 Nairns Oatcakes Ltd. 684,794 684,794 684,794 
			 Nestle 140,968 391,985 n/a 
			 ORIFO n/a 40,040 n/a 
			 PFL 1,146,512 1,146,512 1,146,512 
			 Single Source Ltd. 140,579 140,579 140,579 
			 Westler Foods Ltd. 2,128,048 2,128,048 2,128,048 
			 FRA Angelico Ltd. 715,154 712,743 1,054,567 
			 HL Foods 1,841,642 1,841,642 1,841,642 
			  Drink
			 Chequer Foods Ltd. 130,273 130,273 105,033 
			 CompacT AS (Norway) 11,232 22,461 n/a 
			 Eurogran AS 142,243 142,243 119,338 
			 Far Side Marketing 40,594 5,376 n/a 
			 Glaxosmithkline 183,118 557,570 769,260 
			 HL Foods 54,897 29,278 29,360 
			 Kraft Foods n/a n/a 140,625 
			 Single Source Ltd.  34,353 65,408 
			 Symington's Ltd. 43,916 43,916 43,916 
			 Unilever n/a 5,550 35,224 
			  Other
			 3663(2) 85,392,477 n/a n/a 
			 PFS(2) 78,282,422 144,755,251 123,676,340 
			 Medentech water purification tablets 32,669 32,669 97,200 
			 n/a = Not applicable (1) To date (2) During 2006-07 the Global Food Supply contract was re-let; therefore, spend was split between 3663, the previous contract holder, and PFS

Departmental Equality

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the  (a) sex,  (b) ethnicity,  (c) age,  (d) disability,  (e) sexual orientation and  (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets relating to diversity in its workforce.

Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence's assessment of its performance against its targets relating to the diversity of our workforce is contained in the annual report against our Equality and Diversity Scheme 2008-11. The report covering the period 2007-08 will be published early January, and will be available both in the Library of the House and on the website:
	www.mod.uk.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that temporary and permanent employees of his Department employed at the same grade receive the same hourly rate of pay.

Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 98W.

Military Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tucano aircraft are in service with the Royal Air Force; and what plans have been made to manage the retirement of the fleet.

Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 105W.
	The run-down of the Tucano fleet will be managed so as to achieve a smooth transition to any replacement capability delivered as part of the UK Military Flying Training System and will ensure that training commitments are met.

Military Aircraft

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many air-to-air refuelling sorties were flown by the  (a) Tornado and  (b) Harrier fleets in the United Kingdom in each month of each of the last five financial years;
	(2)  what the rate of rejection of eco-engines from first line in the United Kingdom was in each week of each of the last five financial years;
	(3)  how much aviation fuel was transferred to the Tornado air defence and ground attack fleets during air-to-air refuelling operations in the United Kingdom in each week of each of the last five financial years;
	(4)  how much aviation fuel was used by the Tornado air defence and ground attack fleets in the United Kingdom in each week of each of the last five financial years;
	(5)  how much aviation fuel was consumed by the Harrier fleet in the United Kingdom in each week of each of the last five financial years;
	(6)  what the rate of rejection of RB 199 aero engines from first line was in the United Kingdom in each week of each of the last five financial years.

Bob Ainsworth: I will write to the hon. Member.

Military Intelligence

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department plans to begin the next phase of the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance capability.

Quentin Davies: ISTAR capability is being developed through a range of programmes which are at different stages. Accordingly it is not possible to identify a distinct and comprehensive phase of ISTAR capability.
	Our general approach to ISTAR capability was set out in the MOD Memorandum published in the HCDC report on 'The contribution of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to ISTAR capability' (Thirteenth Report of Session 2007-08).

Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what upgrades were made to Brimstone air to surface missiles during 2008; and what further upgrades his Department has planned.

Quentin Davies: During 2008 the Brimstone missile was upgraded to provide an air-launched low-collateral variant that could be used against static and moving ground targets. In addition, we are currently considering the development of an Insensitive Munition variant of Brimstone.

Trident

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Trident II systems his Department is planning to build; and what estimate he has made of the likely length of time between the delivery of each Trident II.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 111W.

Turkey: Defence Sales

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the public purse has received for the sale of the three Type-42 destroyers Glasgow, Cardiff and Newcastle to a Turkish ship breaker.

Quentin Davies: The final sale price for the T42s will be dependant on the volume of metals salvaged and its market price following recycling. The arrangement entered into by the MOD, secured following a competitive tender, will provide a minimum guaranteed price and potentially a further payment depending upon the prevailing market conditions.

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reservations his Department is seeking to make in relation to the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: Reservations and/or interpretative declarations in respect of the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities are being considered by four Departments: Home Office, Ministry of Defence, DCSF and DWP. This information is in the public domain and was most recently referred to in an answer to Lord Morris of Manchester by Lord McKenzie of Luton, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Works and Pension on 18 December 2008,  Official Report, column WA65.
	The precise details of the reservations/interpretative declarations are being finalised by the four Departments, and will be subject to clearance by DA Committee before the necessary Explanatory Memorandum for ratification of the convention is laid for parliamentary scrutiny.
	The Ministry of Defence has indicated that there is a need to enter a reservation in respect of the armed forces reflecting the relevant provisions of EC Framework Directive Employment (2000/78/EC) and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). MOD officials are working closely with DWP officials to finalise the wording of the armed forces' reservation which is required to preserve the combat effectiveness of the armed forces.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce plans to trial further technology demonstrator unmanned aerial vehicles.

Quentin Davies: holding answer 15 January 2009
	The Mantis and Taranis UAV technology demonstrator programmes are already progressing. UAVs have proved their worth on current operations and we recognise the role they are likely to play in the future mix of military capability. Details of further relevant research activities are contained within our Defence Technology Plan, due to be published shortly.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Predator or Reaper systems have been purchased by the Government; and how many are still flying.

Quentin Davies: We have purchased one Reaper system (also known as Predator B), comprising air vehicles, ground stations, communications infrastructure and HQ facilities. I am withholding information on the number of air vehicles currently in use as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Veterans: Pensions

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans who have been diagnosed as having less than 12 months to live, have applied for a serious ill-health lump sump payment under an armed forces pension scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: No veterans, diagnosed as having less than 12 months to live, have applied for a serious ill-health lump sum payment under armed forces pension scheme 2005.

Warships: Procurement

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) surface ships and  (b) submarines are on order; and when each is due to be (i) completed and (ii) entered into service.

Quentin Davies: We are in the middle of a very large programme of investment in new warships, centred on the Type 45 Destroyers, the Future Aircraft Carriers and the Astute Class submarines.
	Of the six Type 45 Destroyers on order, two, Daring and Dauntless, have been built and commenced their sea trials. The other four vessels, which are in various stages of build, are expected to reach similar stages in the coming years: Diamond in 2009, Dragon in 2010, Defender in 2011 and Duncan in 2012. Daring is expected to enter into service next year with the other five at a rate of approximately one a year thereafter.
	The two new Aircraft Carriers, Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, were originally due to enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively. The Equipment Examination found that there is scope to improve alignment with the Joint Combat Aircraft project. This is likely to mean delaying the in-service dates of the new carriers by one to two years.
	The four Astute Class submarines that have been ordered (Astute, Ambush, Artful and Audacious) are in various stages of production. The planned in-service dates are subject to ongoing detailed review. There has, however, been some delay to the programme and we are in the process of re-baselining the programme timetable and an announcement will be made in due course. We intend to note a further three submarines in this class.

TRANSPORT

Air Routes

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances he would consider designating the air link between London Gatwick and Plymouth as a Public Service Obligation (PSO) route as defined in European Regulation 2408/92 and 95/93; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 15 January 2009
	The criteria for imposing a PSO were set out in "Guidance on the Protection of Regional Air Access to London", published by the Department in December 2005. It can be found on the DfT website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/domestic/praa/
	Under the Guidance, it is for regional stakeholders or devolved Administrations to apply to the Secretary of State for a PSO to be imposed. No application has been received in relation to the Plymouth to Gatwick route.
	The EU rules governing the imposition of PSOs on air routes have been refined by Regulation EC 1008/2008. The Department will be revisiting the 2005 guidance in the light of this, but we do not anticipate making large scale changes.

Air Routes

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the designation of the air service between London Gatwick and Plymouth as a public service obligation route in accordance with EC Regulation 2408/92 and 95/93; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The criteria for imposing a PSO were set out in "Guidance on the Protection of Regional Air Access to London", published by the Department for Transport in December 2005. It can be found on the DFT website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/domestic/praa/.
	Under the guidance, it is for regional stakeholders or devolved Administrations to apply to the Secretary of State for a PSO to be imposed. No application has been received in relation to the Plymouth to Gatwick route.
	The EU rules governing the imposition of PSOs on air routes have been refined by Regulation EC 1008/2008. The Department will be revisiting the 2005 guidance in the light of this, but we do not anticipate making large scale changes.

Aviation

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of UK regional air services are operated by each airline in each region.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 15 January  2009
	The information requested is set out in the following table, which has been compiled by the CAA.
	
		
			  Major airlines' percentage share of UK terminal airport passengers (scheduled and charter) by DFT planning region in 2007 
			  Percentage 
			   Scotland  Wales  Northern Ireland  North of England  Midlands  South West  South East  Total UK excluding Channel Islands 
			 Aer Arann 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Aer Lingus 1 0 0 1 2 0 2 1 
			 Air Southwest 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 
			 Bmi 5 0 9 2 0 0 3 3 
			 Bmi Regional 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Bmibaby 4 34 8 2 18 0 0 2 
			 British Airways 12 0 0 4 0 0 24 16 
			 EasyJet 18 1 41 11 5 39 11 13 
			 Emirates 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 
			 Flybe 7 3 16 4 8 9 2 4 
			 Flyglobespan 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 
			 Jet2.Com 1 0 6 9 0 0 0 2 
			 KLM 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 
			 KLM Cityhopper 1 8 0 2 1 2 0 1 
			 Loganair 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Monarch Airlines 1 0 0 5 6 0 2 2 
			 Onur Air 0 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 
			 Ryanair 11 0 6 10 14 13 12 12 
			 Thomas Cook Airlines (MyTravel)(1) 2 8 4 3 3 2 0 1 
			 Thomas Cook Airlines (Thomas Cook)(1) 2 0 0 5 5 1 1 2 
			 Thomson Airways(2) 2 25 0 9 12 8 2 4 
			 First Choice Airways(2) 1 7 1 4 5 7 1 2 
			 Virgin Atlantic Airways 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 2 
			 XL Airways UK(3) 1 1 0 3 0 2 1 1 
			 Others(4) 17 6 7 19 16 12 31 25 
			 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 
			 (1) MyTravel and Thomas Cook Airlines have now merged. (2) Thomson and First Choice Airways have now merged. (3) XL Airways filed for bankruptcy in September 2008. (4) Airlines which don't have at least a 2 per cent. share of passengers in any regions (may include subsidiaries of named airlines). Notes: 1. Terminal passengers are sourced from CAA Airport Statistics, and includes all reporting UK airports. 2. A one-way domestic trip is counted twice, on departure from one airport, and on arrival at the other. 3. Using other measures of airline activity, such as flights, or passenger or seat kilometres, will give a different picture. 4. Individual airlines are listed where they hold a unique air operator certificate. However, some may have common ownership, such as the three bmi airlines.

Aviation: Monopolies

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of overall airline activity in a region would have to be provided by one operator for the position to be considered a regional monopoly; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 15 January 2009
	The provision of air services is subject to general UK competition law. The EC treaty and the Competition Act 1998 both prohibit, in certain circumstances, conduct by one or more undertakings which amounts to an abuse of a dominant position in a relevant market.
	Any assessment of whether an undertaking is dominant in a relevant market, including an airline in the provision of air services, would be a matter for the Office of Fair Trading. Whether an undertaking is dominant will be dependent on both the relevant market definition and the ability of the undertaking to act independently of its competitors, customers and consumers rather than any overall percentage share of a market.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what charges are levied on freight companies for use of the high-speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link between London St. Pancras and Ebbsfleet International; and how much freight has been moved on this line since it was commissioned in 2007.

Paul Clark: The future charges for freight companies to use the Channel Tunnel Rail Link have been subject to recent consultation and High Speed 1 is discussing these charges with freight companies and industry representatives as part of their consideration of that consultation. Further details can be found on the HS1 website at:
	www.highspeed1.co.uk
	Freight services have yet to commence on the new line, and no significant freight has been moved on it since 2007.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the boundary for exemption from the Dartford Crossing toll to residents of Billericay, Sevenoaks, Erith and Thamesmead, Gravesham, Bexleyheath and Castle Point.

Paul Clark: The purpose of the charge at the Dartford crossing is to tackle congestion. The local discount areas of Dartford and Thurrock were established following a consultation process, and were the maximum that could be justified to enable us to maintain a kerb on increasing levels of traffic using the crossing. But we said that we would keep the local discount scheme under review. The scheme has been in operation for only two months and it is too early yet to review either its operation or eligibility.

Departmental Pay

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bonuses were awarded to senior civil servants working at his Department and its agencies in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 2008; and how much was spent on such bonuses in each of those years.

Geoff Hoon: The number of bonuses awarded to senior civil servants in the Department for Transport in  (a) 2007,  (b) 2008 and the amount spent in each of those years is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of bonuses  Total cost of bonuses (£) 
			 2007 152 1,282,100 
			 2008 139 1,344,831

Driving Tests

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers passed their driving test on the  (a) first,  (b) second and  (c) third or later attempt in (i) England, (ii) the North West and (iii) Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 14 January 2009
	 The Driving Standards Agency has provided details of the number of drivers who passed their driving test by attempt at GB level, dating back to 2004. The DSA cannot provide any further information without incurring disproportionate costs.
	
		
			  GB figures 
			Attempt 1  Attempt 2  Attempt 3  4 plus attempts 
			 2004-05 Passed 370,281 197,596 85,595 53,546 
			 2005-06 Passed 329,400 206,573 114,961 129,091 
			 2006-07 Passed 331,137 201,883 112,134 131,175 
			 2007-08 Passed 344,276 207,076 110,756 121,524 
			 2008-09 Passed 271,782 158,214 83,638 95,483

Driving Tests: Motorcycles

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorcycle testing sites with  (a) areas capable of conducting Module 1 tests and  (b) areas for whole part tests in England he plans to provide by March 2009; if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The consultation exercise, on proposals to improve delivery for the new practical motorcycle test by splitting it into two modules, ended on 9 January. Module 1 would be the specified manoeuvres element and module 2 would be the road riding element. The responses are still being analysed.
	If the test is split into two modules, current estimates are that the Driving Standards Agency will have in place around 61 operational sites for module 1 and around 100 locations from which module 2 tests will be delivered.

Driving Tests: Motorcycles

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department  (a) has spent since 2000 and  (b) proposes to spend in future years in (i) Poole and (ii) England on the implementation of changes to motorcycle testing required by the Second European Directive on Driving Licences.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The amount spent on the Multi-Purpose Test Centre project in England is £40,684,467.
	So far £100,666 has been spent on searching for suitable sites in Poole and conducting feasibility studies. The planning application for the identified site is currently at appeal. If successful, then the development of the site will proceed as a private developer scheme with an annual rental to The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) of £170,000 exclusive of VAT.
	The forecast spend in England over the next two years is £14,185,989.

Driving: Insurance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the organisers of the Young Marmalade scheme to encourage additional training for young, newly qualified drivers in return for lower insurance premiums.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Managing Director of Young Marmalade has had two meetings with officials, and some associated correspondence, to present the company's products and information about their customers, who are encouraged to take Pass Plus or other post-test training.

Freight: Birmingham

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the findings of the pilot study on freight options of British Waterways in respect of the Birmingham area; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The pilot study undertaken by British Waterways and Brumcan in Birmingham was a local initiative designed to show other local businesses the benefits of using the canal network to move their goods.
	The Department for Transport promotes the use of waterborne transport, where this is feasible and delivers clear environmental benefits, through the Sustainable Distribution Fund.

Fuels: Businesses

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much transport fuel used by businesses in the UK was purchased in each other EU member state in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government do not have specific data on how much transport fuel used by business in the UK is purchased in other EU member states or in which states.
	However, HMRC do estimate the cross-border shopping market share for diesel in Great Britain and the non-UK-duty paid market share for petrol and diesel in Northern Ireland. These are presented in the HMRC publication 'Measuring Indirect Tax Gaps—2008':
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/mtg-2450.pdf
	HMRC does not estimate how much aviation fuel used in the UK originated overseas.
	HMRC provisionally estimate that in 2006, 650 million litres of diesel consumed in Great Britain was purchased abroad—equivalent to 3 per cent. of the GB diesel market. For Northern Ireland there is no split between cross-border shopping and the illicit market. HMRC estimate that the total non-UK-duty paid market share is 335 million litres for diesel and 75 million litres for petrol.

Haulage

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the contribution to gross domestic product the road haulage industry has made in the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The contribution of the road haulage industry to gross domestic product is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 million 
			 1998 8,176 
			 1999 9,241 
			 2000 9,384 
			 2001 9,322 
			 2002 8,954 
			 2003 9,266 
			 2004 8,444 
			 2005 9,974 
			 2006 10,343 
			 2007 (provisional) 11,457 
			  Source: Annual Business Inquiry, Office for National Statistics 
		
	
	The table includes only those businesses whose economic activity is classified as 'freight transport by road'. It would exclude, therefore, companies in other economic sectors (e.g. retail) if their main business is not haulage.

Heathrow Airport: Railways

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to support an application for European funding for the proposed Heathrow rail hub.

Paul Clark: holding answer 14 January 2009
	 I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's oral statement of 15 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 355-76. Subject to Government's decisions following High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd.'s report at the end of the year, work will be taken forward on funding plans for the proposed Heathrow International interchange.

Lorries: Safety

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his assessment is of the merits of the Fresnel lens to improve vision for drivers of  (a) UK and  (b) foreign heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Fresnel Lenses provide a useful short-term solution to the problem of the blind-spot adjacent to some HGV cabs. When properly fitted a Fresnel Lens provides drivers of foreign HGVs good vision into the adjacent carriageway whilst overtaking; the lens can also offer improved vision to the nearside for UK drivers.
	We are currently completing a study considering the safety aspects of a range of supplementary devices on large goods vehicles, including the Fresnel Lens. We will be using the results of this work to support our proposal to amend the relevant international vehicle construction regulations to reduce these blindspots. In the meantime the Department for Transport is continuing to hand out Fresnel Lenses free of charge to left-hand-drive vehicles arriving at UK ports.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the motor insurance industry on the costs of hire cars during periods when accident insurance disputes and repairs are taking place.

Jim Fitzpatrick: There have been no discussions. Any such costs would be a matter between insurers and their policyholders.

Motorways: Accidents

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents resulting in death or serious injury have occurred on the hard shoulder of motorways in England in each of the last five years.

Paul Clark: Hard shoulder accidents are those defined as involving a vehicle on, entering or leaving a hard shoulder or lay-by on a motorway.
	There were 160 accidents resulting in death or serious injury that have occurred on the hard shoulder of motorways in England in the last five years detailed as follows.
	
		
			   Accident severity 
			   Fatal  Serious 
			 2003 11 23 
			 2004 3 27 
			 2005 12 28 
			 2006 9 16 
			 2007 10 21 
			 Total 45 115

Network Rail: Disclosure of Information

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will encourage Network Rail to respond to requests for information held as if they were subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Paul Clark: Network Rail is an independent company. It is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 because it is not part of the public sector.

Overseas Lorries

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the maximum charge is per day for a foreign haulage vehicle to enter the UK.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government do not charge foreign haulage vehicles to enter the UK.

Overseas Lorries

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many foreign vehicles arrived in the UK each  (a) day,  (b) week and  (c) month of the last two years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport does not collect information on the total numbers of foreign vehicles entering the United Kingdom. However quarterly figures are published on the number of road goods vehicles travelling to mainland Europe and these are broken down by whether the vehicles are registered in the UK or not. These figures include vehicles travelling by ferry and through the Channel tunnel and exclude traffic across the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish republic. The web link to the latest figures is:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/freight/secroadseur/roroq32008
	The following table gives the data for the last two years and excludes unaccompanied trailers.
	
		
			  Road goods vehicles travelling to mainland Europe 
			  Thousands of vehicles 
			   Quarter  UK registered  Foreign registered  Unknown 
			 2006 Q4 100 417 2 
			  
			 2007 Q1 101 421 2 
			  Q2 103 427 3 
			  Q3 101 426 3 
			  Q4 95 444 3 
			  
			 2008 Q1(1) 98 430 2 
			  Q2(1) 105 436 1 
			  Q3(1) 101 408 1 
			 (1) Provisional.

Railways: Fares

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent increase in rail fares has been announced by each train operating company.

Paul Clark: The Association of Train Operating Companies issued a press release citing the average fares rises for January 2009. This was published in November 2008 and is available from their website:
	www.atoc.org

Railways: Timetables

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to encourage Network Rail to release to the hon. Member for Lewes the information he has requested from the company in respect of trains arriving at their scheduled destination at least one minute after the scheduled arrival time but within the timescale that allows them to be classified as on time.

Paul Clark: This is an operational matter for Network Rail as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his question:
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	Kings Place
	90 York Way
	London, N1 9AG.

Railways: Timetables

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the information his Department holds on very seriously delayed and cancelled trains in the last 12 month period for which figures are available, broken down by train operating company.

Paul Clark: The latest period for which cancellation figures are available for England and Wales is 9 December 2007 to 6 December 2008. The number of franchised passenger trains cancelled for their whole journey is given by train operating company in the following table:
	
		
			  Train operating company  Number of cancellations 
			 Arriva Trains Wales 1,213 
			 c2c 1,193 
			 Chiltern 664 
			 First Capital Connect 4,069 
			 First Great Western 4,699 
			 National Express East Coast 644 
			 Merseyrail 1,799 
			 Northern Rail 6,284 
			 National Express East Anglia 6,975 
			 Southeastern 4,878 
			 Southern 5,722 
			 Stagecoach South West Trains 4,017 
			 TransPennine Express 1,082 
			 Virgin Trains 1,266 
			 Crosscountry 1,151 
			 East Midlands Trains 1,630 
			 London Overground 1,215 
			 London Midland 6,174 
			 Total 54,675 
		
	
	The total number of trains cancelled represents 0.9 per cent. of those scheduled to operate over the period in question. This is a reduction on the equivalent period the previous year when 1.2 per cent. of scheduled services were cancelled.
	The Department for Transport does not have information on very seriously delayed trains. This is collected and processed by Network Rail. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chief executive of Network Rail at the following address:
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	Kings Place
	York Way
	London
	N1 9AG

Roads: Accidents

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of  (a) serious and  (b) fatal road accidents involved (i) foreign and (ii) UK road hauliers in the latest period for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number and percentage of  (a) serious and  (b) fatal reported personal injury road accidents in 2007 involving at least one (i) foreign and (ii) UK registered heavy goods vehicle (HGV) are given in the table.
	
		
			  Number of accidents 
			   Fatal  Serious 
			 Accidents involving at least one foreign registered HGV 28 101 
			 Accidents involving at least one UK registered HGV 374 1,246 
			 Accidents involving at least one UK or foreign registered HGV 393 1,331 
			
			 Percentage involving at least one foreign registered HGV 7 8 
			 Percentage involving at least one UK registered HGV 95 94 
		
	
	The percentages do not sum up to 100, because both foreign and UK registered heavy goods vehicle could be involved in the same accident.

Roads: Accidents

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many reported deaths as a result of road traffic accidents there were in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The numbers of fatalities from reported personal injury road accidents in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex in each year since 1997 are given in the table:
	
		
			  Number of fatalities 
			   Eastbourne  East Sussex( 1) 
			 1997 4 43 
			 1998 2 44 
			 1999 2 48 
			 2000 2 57 
			 2001 4 41 
			 2002 1 50 
			 2003 2 47 
			 2004 7 48 
			 2005 2 58 
			 2006 1 46 
			 2007 3 32 
			 (1) Includes Brighton and Hove UA

Severn Bridge: Tolls

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of disabled people who used  (a) the Severn Bridge and  (b) the Second Severn Crossing who qualified for exemptions from tolls in the last 12 months; what estimate he has made of the level of exemptions fraudulently claimed in that period; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: UK and EU Disabled Badge users are exempt from charges on the Severn bridge tolls. In 2008, it is estimated that the number of disabled badge holders passing through  (a) the Severn bridge was 119,663 and  (b) the Second Severn Crossing was 329,957.
	Severn River Crossing plc who operate the tolls do not keep records of fraudulently claimed disabled badges, however checks on the validity of disabled badges, held by users, are made by toll collectors at toll booths.

Speed Limits

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that  (a) 20 miles per hour and  (b) home zones are enforced.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A 20 mph zone is required by law to contain traffic calming measures placed at regular intervals to ensure compliance with the speed limit. Additional police enforcement is considered unnecessary.
	Designation of a road as a home zone does not introduce any enforceable restrictions. The design of a home zone, and any measures implemented, should aim to achieve low vehicle speeds so that permitted activities can be enjoyed safely. The enforcement of any complementary restrictions, for example speed limits or parking, is a matter for the relevant authority, which may be the police or the local authority.

Speed Limits: Cameras

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been raised in fines  (a) from each speed camera and  (b) in total from speed cameras in (i) Essex and (ii) Basildon district in each of the last 10 years; and what funds relating to speed cameras have been made available by his Department to (A) Essex County Council and (B) Basildon District Council in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information about fine revenue raised by individual cameras is not held by the Department for Transport. The Department only holds information about speed cameras operating under the National Safety Camera programme which ended on 31 March 2007. Separate information for the Basildon district of Essex is not held. Essex joined the Safety Camera Programme on 1 April 2000. Figures from the audit certificates for the Essex Safety Camera Partnership are contained in table A as follows and show the fine revenue from conditional offer of fixed penalties for offences detected by speed and red light cameras operating under the then National Safety Camera Programme.
	
		
			  Table A 
			
			 2000-01 1,864,480 
			 2001-02 3,524,120 
			 2002-03 5,672,220 
			 2003-04 5,137,740 
			 2004-05 4,710,300 
			 2005-06 4,732,860 
			 2006-07 3,917,040 
		
	
	Under the then netting off funding arrangements, safety camera partnerships reclaimed expenditure directly attributed to the prevention, detection and enforcement of offences. The amount reclaimed by the Essex partnership in these financial years is set out in table B as follows. The surplus was returned to the Consolidated Fund.
	
		
			  Table B 
			
			 2000-01 1,864,480 
			 2001-02 3,179,304 
			 2002-03 5,150,286 
			 2003-04 5,037,293 
			 2004-05 4,622,413 
			 2005-06 4,257,190 
			 2006-07 3,739,853 
		
	
	On 1 April 2007 the specific road safety grant replaced the system of funding safety cameras through fine income. Essex received 3,363,428 of this grant in 2007-08 and 3,215,679 in 2008-09.

Speed Limits: Cameras

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was raised in fines from speed cameras in  (a) Bolton and  (b) Greater Manchester in the last year for which records are available; how much of that income was spent in (i) Bolton and (ii) Greater Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport information about speed cameras operating under the National Safety Camera Programme which ended on 31 March 2007. Separate information for the Bolton area is not held. The audit certificate for the Greater Manchester Safety Camera Partnership for 2006-07 shows the fine revenue from fixed penalty tickets for offences detected by speed and red light cameras operating under the then National Safety Camera Programme to be 4,054,680. Under the programme funding arrangements, safety camera partnerships re-claimed expenditure directly attributed to the prevention, detection and enforcement of offences. The amount re-claimed by the Greater Manchester partnership in 2006-07 was 3,431,191. The surplus was returned to the Treasury Consolidated Fund.

Speed Limits: Cameras

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was raised in fines from speed cameras in  (a) Hemel Hempstead and  (b) Hertfordshire in the last year for which records are available; how much of that revenue was spent in (i) Hemel Hempstead and (ii) Hertfordshire; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport only holds information about speed cameras operating under the National Safety Camera Programme which ended on 31 March 2007. Separate information for the Hemel Hempstead area is not held. The audit certificate for the Hertfordshire Safety Camera Partnership for 2006-07 shows the fine revenue from fixed penalty tickets for offences detected by speed and red light cameras operating under the then National Safety Camera Programme to be 2,565,540. Under the programme funding arrangements, safety camera partnerships re-claimed expenditure directly attributed to the prevention, detection and enforcement of offences. The amount re-claimed by the Hertfordshire partnership in 2006-07 was 2,516,862. The surplus was returned to the Treasury Consolidated Fund.

Traffic Lights: Cameras

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what locations, on what roads, in  (a) the Metropolitan Police area of London,  (b) Essex and  (c) Hertfordshire where red light cameras are (i) in place and (ii) will be in place within the next 12 months for the purpose of monitoring vehicles for offences other than speeding.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport information about the locations of red light cameras operating under the National Safety Camera Programme which ended on 31 March 2007. Accurate and up to date information may be held by the London, Essex and Hertfordshire road safety partnerships who are responsible for the operation and placement of red light cameras.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency: Surveys

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has conducted any customer service surveys relating to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency following its reform.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are committed to monitoring customer opinions of the service they deliver, which they monitor through annual customer satisfaction surveys covering the key service delivery areas of testing, enforcement and licensing. This information can be found at:
	http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/contactus/customerfeedbac/customrsfactionsurveys.htm#P7_549.

Vehicles: Carbon Emissions

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many registered road vehicles of each  (a) engine size and  (b) level of carbon dioxide emissions there were in each (i) region and (ii) constituency in each year from 2004 to 2008.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Tables providing the requested information for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	National statistics regarding the number of licensed vehicles as at the end of 2008 are not yet available, but are due to be published in April 2009.

Vehicles: France

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of French-licensed road vehicles with long-range fuel tanks being used to undertake business solely within the UK.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Using data made available by Eurostat, the most recent estimates (for 2006) show that French hauliers operating in the UK were responsible for 0.2 billion tonne kilometres of cabotage activity. Information on the amount of fuel carried by these vehicles is not routinely collected.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Closed Circuit Television

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there are any outstanding requests to his Department for CCTV cameras at interface points in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: There are currently no outstanding requests for CCTV at Interface points in Northern Ireland.

Crime

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of hate crime were recorded in Northern Ireland in 2008.

Paul Goggins: This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what expert advisers have been commissioned by his Department and its agencies since 1997; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the adviser so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.

Shaun Woodward: Information on expert advisers commissioned by my Department and its agencies since 1997 is not held centrally and to obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost.
	The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has 11 Executive and advisory NDPBs which are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner of Public Appointments (OCPA). Declarations of political activity/interest are a customary part of this process.
	The NIO also has a number of other public bodies including independent monitoring boards and international bodies. Information regarding appointments to these bodies is not held centrally.
	Since 2003, Government have published an annual statement with details of special advisers. The most recent information was published on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 99-102WS.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that temporary and permanent employees of his Department employed at the same grade receive the same hourly rate of pay.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 199W.

Departmental Vehicles

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with reference to the answer of 24 November 2008,  Official Report, column 883W, on departmental vehicles, what types and makes of vehicles were maintained in each year.

Shaun Woodward: The following types and makes of vehicles were maintained in each of the last five years. These figures exclude the Department's agencies and Executive non-departmental public bodies.
	
		
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Leased n/a n/a Renault Kangoo Van Renault Kangoo Van Renault Kangoo Van 
			 Leased Volvo S80 Volvo S80 BMW 5 Series BMW 5 Series BMW 5 Series 
			 Leased n/a n/a SEAT Leon SEAT Leon SEAT Leon 
			 Leased n/a n/a Ford Transit Ford Transit Ford Transit 
			 Leased 4 x Vauxhall Omegas 4 x Vauxhall Omegas 3 x Volvo S80s 3 x Volvo S80s 3 x Volvo S80s 
			 Leased Ford Mondeo Ford Mondeo Ford Mondeo Ford Mondeo Ford Mondeo 
			   
			 Owned Renault Kangoo Van Renault Kangoo Van Renault Kangoo Van Renault Kangoo Van n/a 
			 Owned Vauxhall Vectra Vauxhall Vectra Vauxhall Vectra Vauxhall Vectra n/a 
			 Owned Vauxhall Van Vauxhall Van Vauxhall Van Vauxhall Van n/a 
			 Owned Ford Tractor Ford Tractor Ford Tractor Ford Tractor Ford Tractor 
			 Owned Massey Ferguson Tractor Massey Ferguson Tractor Massey Ferguson Tractor Massey Ferguson Tractor Massey Ferguson Tractor 
			 Owned Holland Tractor Holland Tractor Holland Tractor Holland Tractor Holland Tractor 
		
	
	The type of car chosen reflects a range of factors including fuel efficiency, safety standard and practical usage. Where possible, when a lease is up for renewal, we could consider all options in reducing costs to the Department while maintaining the standard required.

District Policing Partnerships: Expenditure

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of funding district policing partnerships in Northern Ireland was in the year ended March 2008.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which is independent of Government. The hon. Gentleman may wish to write to Dr. Debbie Donnelly, acting Chief Executive of the Policing Board.

Inquiries

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Wright Inquiry has informed him of the reasons why the inquiry's former Senior Counsel Derek Batchelor QC vacated his post; and what plans he has to review the circumstances surrounding his departure.

Shaun Woodward: Instructing Inquiry Counsel is a matter for the Inquiry Chairman. I have no plans to review the circumstances surrounding Mr. Batchelor's departure.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Shaun Woodward: As part of the recruitment process, staff joining the Northern Ireland Office are subject to character checks and security vetting, which includes examination of criminal records. Consideration is given to each individual case, taking into account the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Rehabilitation of Offenders Order (NI) 1978. Once this check is completed, the number of staff recruited who are former prisoners is not monitored.

Police Stations: Construction

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the new prison at Magilligan to be completed; and at what cost.

Paul Goggins: Work is expected to begin on the new prison build at Magilligan in late 2011 or shortly afterwards and to take at least four years to complete. The Northern Ireland Prison Service is currently putting in place the requisite programme management, design and business case services.
	The estimated costs are in the order of 200 million inclusive of VAT and 30 per cent. optimism bias.

Police Stations: Repairs and Maintenance

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the recent maintenance and refurbishment work at Garvagh Police Station, County Londonderry, cost.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Prisoners Release

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sentenced foreign prisoners were released from prisons in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months for which data is available.

Paul Goggins: Between 1 December 2007 to 1 December 2008, 178 sentenced foreign national prisoners were released from prisons in Northern Ireland.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Business Improvement Districts

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 508-09W, on local authorities: business, what additional business rate multiplier is applied in each of the business improvement districts.

John Healey: There are no additional business rate multipliers applied to each of the business improvement districts (BIDs). Businesses within the BID area agree to pay an additional levy on top of their standard business rate bill.

Charities

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to which  (a) charities and  (b) voluntary organisations her Department has provided funding in the last five years; and how much funding was provided to each.

Sadiq Khan: A complete list of funding to charities and voluntary organisations could be made available only at a disproportionate cost.
	However, I refer the hon. Member to a related question that I answered on 11 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 243-45W.

Community Development: Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government through which funding streams her Department plans to contribute towards  (a) supporting housing,  (b) countering social exclusion and  (c) regeneration in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10.

John Healey: The following table sets out the funding streams and amounts that the Department plans to contribute towards supporting housing, and regeneration in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Some funding streams for supporting housing, clearly contribute also to regeneration.
	A number of the Department's programmes potentially contribute to countering social exclusion, however, it is not possible to quantify the amounts specifically involved.
	
		
			   million 
			  Funding Streams  2008- 09 Forecast  2009-10 Plan 
			  Supporting Housing   
			 National Affordable Housing Programme(1) 2,629.0 3,521.0 
			 Housing Market Renewal Fund(1) 381.0 346.0 
			 Growth Areas(1) 289.0 347.0 
			 Gap Funding(1) 123.0 80.0 
			 Places for Change(1) 33.0 24.0 
			 Coalfields Regeneration Trust 17.7 17.7 
			 Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF)(1,2) 36.7 123.0 
			 Regional Housing Pot 347.3 422.5 
			 Arms Length Management Organisations supported capital expenditure 896.0 809.0 
			 Local Authority Supported Capital Expenditure 272.4 269.2 
			 Housing and Planning Delivery Grant 101.0 160.0 
			
			  Regeneration   
			 Safer Stronger Communities 52.0 31.0 
			 Working Neighbourhood Fund 464.0 505.6 
			 New Deal for Communities 249.0 179.0 
			 Thames Gateway(3) 91.8 96.6 
			 Land Development (former English Partnerships) (net capital)(1) 206.0 194.0 
			 Thames Gateway(1,3) 47.4 88.9 
			 Regional Development Agencies 1,554.0 1,491.0 
			 (1) These programmes are now part of the new Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). (2) Community Infrastructure Fund programme is jointly managed with the Department for Transport. (3) The figures include both Departmental Expenditure Limits and Annually Managed Expenditure where appropriate.  Note: Expenditure on the Olympics (2008-09 forecast 256.4 million and 2009-10 plan 766.6 million) potentially supports all three of the objectives listed in the question, but it is not possible to attribute the spend between them. 
		
	
	In addition, the Department is responsible for managing the funds received by the UK from the European Regional Development Fund, which supports regeneration in a number of the English regions.

Council Tax: Valuation

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make publicly available the location-related datasets for  (a) the 10,000 localities drawn up by the Valuation Office Agency for council tax valuations and  (b) the 90,000 sub-locations drawn up by the Valuation Office Agency for business rates valuations as referred to on page 29 of her Department's location strategy.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	Map data held by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) for localities are used, among other things, in the provision of commercial valuation services. Publication of this information would weaken the VOA's competitive position. No map data exist for sub-locations, which are codes used by the VOA to group properties with similar characteristics for non-domestic rating purposes.

Councillors: Arun

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons the Audit Commission has requested councillors of Arun Council to provide details of their personal bank accounts.

John Healey: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated January 2009:
	Your Parliamentary Question on what reasons the Audit Commission has requested councillors of Arun Council to provide details of their personal bank accounts has been passed to me for reply.
	This matter relates to the data collected for the Audit Commission's data matching exercise, known as the National Fraud Initiative (NFI). The NFI is designed to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud and is one of the ways in which the Audit Commission meets its responsibility of promoting economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public money. We estimate that since it started in 1996 the NFI has helped to detect around 450 million in fraud and overpayments.
	The processing of data by the Commission in a data matching exercise is now carried out under powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998, which were enacted in the Serious Crime Act 2007. The Audit Commission does not itself investigate instances of fraud; this is the responsibility of the bodies participating in the NFI and supplying data sets for matching.
	Mandatory participants such as local councils, police authorities, probation boards, fire and rescue authorities and NHS bodies are required to submit a number of different dataset types for NFI. One of these datasets is payroll data, that is, all individuals currently being paid a salary/wage/members allowance on a payroll at a particular point in time.
	The data sought is limited strictly to those fields that are required for data matching plus any that will assist the investigator in selecting matches where an inconsistency is indicated from the data match that requires further investigation. The fields are set out in a 'data specification'. The bank account and sort code are included on the payroll data specification; however the name in which the bank account is held is not collected so the Audit Commission cannot make a connection to other account holders.
	Bank details (bank account number and sort code) are important for the investigation process, but they are not displayed in the reports that NFI participants receive; instead the matching process looks at whether the bank account number and sort code is the same or different across the sets of data provided for NFI and then converts this information into a flag (Yes or No). It is then the flag that is included in the NFI reports. This intelligence helps investigators prioritise investigative resources on cases where employment income has, for example, potentially been withheld (e.g. in an undeclared bank account). This data is highly significant in the fight against fraud.
	The Audit Commission's Head of NFI has met elected members at Arun Council to explain why these fields are collected, referring to a number of case studies that not only involve public sector employees but also elected members who have been guilty of benefit fraud by not declaring allowances.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in  Hansard.

Departmental Catering

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which  (a) food and  (b) drinks suppliers have been used by her Department in each of the last three years; and how much her Department paid to each such supplier in each of those years.

Sadiq Khan: All procurement is undertaken in line with the European Commission's procurement rules and to obtain value for money.
	Catering services are provided as part of the Department's Integrated Facilities Management contract. There are a number of third party suppliers used by our caterers and to provide the information requested would be disproportionately costly.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of contractors and suppliers to  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies has reported compliance with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Sadiq Khan: CLG and its Agencies are using the new standard Office of Government Commerce clauses in new contracts that involve the handling of personal data and reviews of documentation on existing contracts are being carried out.
	The Department and its Agencies have assessed their delivery chains and have conducted reviews of contractors' adherence to data handling requirements. All contracts are currently assessed as compliant or close to compliance.
	In some cases CLG HQ security staff have been or are directly involved in visits to contractors to assess data handling procedures.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy that temporary and permanent employees of her Department employed at the same grade receive the same hourly rate of pay.

Sadiq Khan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 581W.

Departmental Pay

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent by her Department on staff reward and recognition schemes in each of the last three years.

Sadiq Khan: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 25 June 2008,  Official Report, column 343W.

Departmental Written Questions

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on how many occasions in the last 12 months Ministers in her Department have used their discretion to rule that a parliamentary question for written answer should be answered because it would be in the public interest to do so, even though to do so would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of 700.

Sadiq Khan: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 25 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 233-4W, on local authorities: grants, what the grant per capita to each local authority  (a) was in 2008-09 and  (b) is expected to be in 2009-10; and what the average grant per capita to (i) district councils, (ii) unitary councils, (iii) county councils, (iv) metropolitan councils and (v) London boroughs (1) was in 2008-09 and (2) is expected to be in 2009-10.

John Healey: I have placed in the Library of the House a table showing this information for 2008-09 budget estimates. The information for 2009-10 budget estimates is not yet available.

Eco-Towns

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many eco-towns she expects to be constructed.

Margaret Beckett: As set out in the draft Eco-towns Planning Policy Statement, published on 4 November 2008, the eco-towns initiative has been developed with the aim of getting exemplar projects off the ground. I have made clear that I am not committed to a particular number at this stage, but that we will look at bringing forward up to 10 schemes.

Energy Performance Certificates

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information required to be provided in energy performance certificates is not required to be provided under Part L of Building Regulations.

Margaret Beckett: Part L of the Building Regulations applies only to new buildings. Energy performance certificates are required for all buildings being marketed. An Energy Performance Certificate additionally provides an A to G rating similar to the label provided with domestic appliances so that the energy efficiency of buildings can be readily compared. An Energy Performance Certificate is also accompanied by a Recommendation Report that lists measures to improve the energy rating.

Fire Services

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fire engines there were in operation in each year since 1997.

Sadiq Khan: Available figures for the number of front-line fire engines in England, for the years 1997 to 2008 is set out as follows.
	
		
			  Fire engines, England as at 31 March 
			   Number 
			 1997(1) 2,467 
			 1998(1) 2,472 
			 1999(1) 2,466 
			 2000 2,109 
			 2001 2,105 
			 2002 2,124 
			 2003 2,120 
			 2004 2,120 
			 2005 2,110 
			 2006 2,091 
			 2007 2,086 
			 2008 2,075 
			 (1) Figures include reserve fire engines and relate to 1 January  Source: Annual returns to Communities and Local Government

Fire Services: Manpower

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Fire Service personnel there were in each year since 1997.

Sadiq Khan: Available figures for the number of fire service personnel employed in England, for the years 1997 to 2008 is set out as follows.
	
		
			  Fire service personnel in England as at 31 March 
			   Number 
			 1997(1) 46,433 
			 1998(1) 46,081 
			 1999(1) 46,295 
			 2000 52,185 
			 2001 52,346 
			 2002 52,765 
			 2003 53,061 
			 2004 53,633 
			 2005 53,953 
			 2006 54,261 
			 2007 55,036 
			 2008 55,537 
			 (1) Figures exclude non-uniformed staff  Source: Animal returns to Communities and Local Government

Fire Services: Taunton

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost of maintaining the regional fire control centre in Taunton was in December 2008.

Sadiq Khan: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 240W.
	We expect accommodation costs to remain at that level for the immediate future.

Fire Services: Working Hours

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the provisions of the EU Working Time Directive on the retained duty system in fire and rescue services in England; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: Application of the working time directive, by setting a 48-hour maximum to the working week, would be likely to greatly reduce the hours which firefighters working the retained duty system could be available for duty, especially the substantial numbers who work full-time for their primary employer. The UK Government therefore places great importance on retaining its opt-out from the directive, a position that was acknowledged by the European Union Council of Ministers in June when it agreed in the Common Position that it should be retained, and will continue to defend it.
	The amendments to the Common Position voted by the European Parliament on 17 December are the latest step in a complex negotiation, the next phase being for the Council of Ministers to consider the amendments, followed by a process of conciliation between both parties, the presidency and the Commission. Officials from my Department will be consulting a range of fire and rescue service stakeholders to ensure that the potential impact is assessed fully; and working with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, which has the UK lead on the working time directive, to inform the ongoing debate and ensure MEPs and EU member states are briefed appropriately.

Home Information Packs

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will revoke the requirement on property vendors to provide home information packs.

Margaret Beckett: No.

Homes and Communities Agency: Finance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the interim operating budget for the Homes and Communities Agency is in the four month period ending at the end of March 2009.

Margaret Beckett: In agreement with Her Majesty's Treasury, the Homes and Communities Agency's (HCA) budgets for 2008-09 have been agreed on merger accounting principles. This means that the HCA is deemed to have existed since 1 April 2008 and a full 2008-09 budget has been set. For 2008-09, the HCA will receive funding from my Department of 3.9 billion (of this 86 million is for administrative running costs). A budget of 2 billion has been estimated to cover the four month period ending at the end of March 2009.

Housing: Databases

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what use her Department has made of data held on the  (a) home condition report and  (b) energy performance certificate register.

Margaret Beckett: Data on numbers of HCRs lodged to date has been used to inform policy decisions on condition information in the HIP, including the recent announcement to establish a working group to explore options for making sure that consumers have appropriate information about a property's condition.
	The Department has used the data held on the energy performance register to monitor the application of and compliance with the Regulations. The Department is considering further how to make best use of this data in furthering its aims for improving the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing carbon emissions.

Housing: Low Incomes

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 507-8W, on housing: low incomes, what type of property attribute or information the field, valuation cloned or not, signifies.

John Healey: The cloned valuation field indicates whether or not a valuation provided by a landlord in the National Register of Social Housing data for a particular dwelling was produced directly from a survey of that dwelling or by comparison with similar dwellings with a previously determined valuation.

Housing: Prices

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average price of a  (a) post-1960s detached house and  (b) post-1960s flat within a block of flats in England was according to records collated by the Valuation Office Agency in each six month period since January 1997.

John Healey: The VOA does not calculate a national average price for properties but does publish twice yearly in its Property Market Report individual average price estimates of a range of properties.
	Copies of the Property Market Report covering the period 1997 to 2008 are available in the House of Commons Library. The Property Market Report from 2001 onwards is also available electronically on the VOA website at:
	www.voa.gov.uk/publications.

Jenny Watson

Ken Purchase: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for how many days a year Ms Jenny Watson is contracted to work for the Audit Commission; and what remuneration she receives for that work. [Official Report, 21 January 2009, Vol. 486, c. 8MC.]

John Healey: Ms Jenny Watson is not a contractor working for the Audit Commission, but holds office as a member of the Audit Commission having been appointed by the Secretary of State. There are no specific requirements of board members as to the time they should devote to work for the Audit Commission but there is an expectation that this will, on average, equate to two days per month during the course of the year. Ms Jenny Watson receives remuneration of 14,146 per annum, which is the amount specified by the Secretary of State for payment to the majority of the Audit Commission board members.

Lloyds TSB

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what meetings the Minister for the South East  (a) has had and  (b) plans to have with representatives of Lloyds TSB on security of employment of Lloyds TSB employees in that region;
	(2)  what meetings the Minister for the East Midlands  (a) has had and  (b) plans to have with representatives of Lloyds TSB regarding security of employment of Lloyds TSB employees in that region;
	(3)  what meetings the Minister for the East of England  (a) has had and  (b) plans to have with representatives of Lloyds TSB regarding security of employment of Lloyds TSB employees in that region;
	(4)  what meetings the Minister for London  (a) has had and  (b) plans to have with representatives of Lloyds TSB on security of employment of Lloyds TSB employees in that region;
	(5)  what meetings the Minister for the West Midlands  (a) has had and  (b) plans to have with representatives of Lloyds TSB on security of employment of Lloyds TSB employees in that region;
	(6)  what meetings the Minister for the North West  (a) has had and  (b) plans to have with representatives of Lloyds TSB on security of employment of Lloyds TSB employees in that region;
	(7)  what meetings the Minister for the North East  (a) has had and  (b) plans to have with representatives of Lloyds TSB on security of employment of Lloyds TSB employees in that region;
	(8)  what meetings the Minister for the South West  (a) has had and  (b) plans to have with Lloyds TSB on protection of jobs for Lloyds TSB workers in that region.

Sadiq Khan: The information requested is as follows.
	The Minister for the South West met with Sir Victor Blank, Chairman of Lloyds TSB, on 14 January 2009.
	The Minister for the West Midlands met with a group made up of business organisations (CBI, Chambers etc.) and regional heads of major banks including Lloyds TSB on 1 December. The same group is due to meet again on 19 January. These meetings have been arranged as a direct consequence of the economic downturn and have been used to gain a regional picture of how banks are supporting businesses in the region.
	The Minister for the North East, held a meeting with representatives of the banking, financial and accounting sectors on 21 November 2008 to discuss and address key concerns in relation to the current economic difficulties. Representatives of Lloyds TSB were invited but did not attend.
	The Ministers for the East of England, the South East, London, East Midlands and the North West have not met, and have not been asked to meet, with representatives from Lloyds TSB on the matter of the security of employment of Lloyds TSB employees in the region.

Local Government: Bank Services

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 511W, on local government: bank services, what estimate has been made of the financial losses to local authorities from the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

John Healey: According to the liquidators for the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, local authorities held deposits of 77.243 million on the date the bank entered liquidation in January 1992. This was approximately $143 million at the rate of exchange in January 1992.
	Dividends have been paid out in US dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between dollars and sterling means that local authorities (and other claimants with funds originally held in sterling) have received almost 97 per cent. of their original balance, if converting their US dollars back into pounds at the rate applicable on the date of the declared dividend. This is higher than the 86.5 per cent. set out in my previous answer, which is the percentage in US dollars.
	It is anticipated that there will be a final dividend paid out, but the liquidators are currently unable to confirm when this will become available or what the value will be.

Local Government: Bank Services

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate her Department has made of the amount of interest local authorities have foregone on money frozen in Icelandic banks.

John Healey: Estimates of the amounts of interest local authorities have foregone on money frozen in Icelandic banks are not held centrally.

Local Government: Bank Services

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how much money local authorities have deposited in Icelandic banks;
	(2)  which local authorities have funds frozen in Icelandic banks.

John Healey: The Local Government Association has compiled information supplied by individual local authorities that have deposits in Icelandic banks. It has published this information on its website:
	www.lga.gov.uk.
	In addition, Communities and Local Government is in the process of collecting data on local authorities that had deposits in Icelandic banks at the end of 2008 as part of our routine financial data collection programme. These data will be published once they have been fully validated and quality assured.

Local Government: Databases

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what data which her Department used to gather from local authorities is no longer gathered as a result of the adoption of the national indicator set.

John Healey: The Department has recently published an update to its simplification plan, which is available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/1094604.pdf
	This contains a list of data which the Department has already stopped collecting for local authorities and also sets out other activity under way to reduce the burden of data collection.
	Further reductions may be identified as a result of the ongoing review of data collections which was referred to in the answer of 28 January 2008,  Official Report, column 112W. Departments have until May 2010 to identify and implement reductions which contribute to the cross-Whitehall 30 per cent. target for reduction in data burdens announced on 9 October 2007 as part of the comprehensive spending review.

Local Government: Manpower

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were employed by local government in England in each year since 1996-97.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, Minister of State for the Third Sector (Kevin Brennan) on 5 November 2008,  Official Report, column 501W.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects to make a statement on the structure of Suffolk and Norfolk local government.

John Healey: The Boundary Committee has been requested to provide advice to the Secretary of State no later than 13 February 2009 on proposals for unitary local government in Norfolk and Suffolk. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 provides that where the Secretary of State has requested such advice, she may not make any decision in relation to any proposals received until at least six weeks after the date by which she has specified that advice must be provided.

Non-Domestic Rates

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the average non-domestic rates bill in England in  (a) 2007-08,  (b) 2008-09 and  (c) 2009-10.

John Healey: The average non-domestic rates bill in England is estimated as 10,333 in 2007-08 and 11,357 in 2008-09. It is not yet possible to estimate the average non-domestic rates bill for 2009-10.
	The data, which refer to the local lists only, are taken from NNDR returns submitted by billing authorities.
	Average non-domestic rates are calculated by dividing the net rate yield from local authorities' lists by the number of hereditaments on local lists as at 31 December of the previous year.
	Comparisons across years should be treated with caution as figures will reflect changes in the number and type of hereditaments as well as changes to rateable values and multipliers.

Non-Domestic Rates

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the net revenue from non-domestic rates in  (a) 2007-08,  (b) 2008-09 and  (c) 2009-10.

John Healey: Data on the net revenue from non-domestic rates are available on the Communities and Local Government website.
	Outturn data for 2007-08 can be found in the Statistical Release National non- domestic rates collected by local authorities in England 2007-08 that was published on 17 September 2008 and can be found in table 1 at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/ctax/ndr078o.htm
	These data are taken from NNDR3 forms submitted annually by all billing authorities in England.
	Budget estimate data for 2008-09 can be found in the Statistical Release National non-domestic rates to be collected by local authorities in England 2008-09 that was published on 8 May 2008 and can be found in table 1 at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/ctax/ndr089.htm
	These data are taken from NNDR1 forms submitted annually by all billing authorities in England.
	Details of the estimated revenue from non-domestic rates in 2009-10 was published as part of the 2009-10 Local Government Finance Settlement and can be found at:
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/0910/dacalcs.xls

Non-Domestic Rates: Business

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what cap she plans to impose on the rate at which supplementary business rates are imposed.

John Healey: The Business Rate Supplements Bill currently before Parliament proposes an upper limit for BRS levied by a local authority in a financial year of 2p per pound of rateable value.

Non-Domestic Rates: Empty Property

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition of empty her Department uses for the purposes of determining empty property exemptions for business rates.

John Healey: The definition used by Communities and Local Government and English local authorities to determine empty property exemptions for business rates can be found in the Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property)(England) Regulations 2008. No. 386.

Non-Domestic Rates: Empty Property

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of empty properties have a rateable value of less than 15,000.

John Healey: The Government do not hold this information. However VOA records show that 70 per cent. of all properties are under the 15,000 threshold and if empty will be exempt.

Non-Domestic Rates: Greater London

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the financial value of the threshold level of rate relief in London for small firms in relation to  (a) small business rate relief,  (b) exemption from empty property business rates and  (c) exemption from supplementary business rates will be in 2009-10.

John Healey: The rateable value thresholds for rate relief in London are:
	In regard to Small Business Rate Relief in London, there are three tiers to the current system; (i) eligible businesses occupying a property with a rateable value of less than 5,000 receive a reduction of 50 per cent. in their rates liability, (ii) eligible businesses occupying a property with a rateable value between 5,000 and 10,000 are entitled to relief on a sliding scalefor every 100 increase in rateable value, relief decreases by 1 per cent. (iii) eligible businesses occupying a property with a rateable value between 10,000 and 21,500 have their liability calculated with the small business multiplier and do not pay the supplement to fund the scheme.
	In regard to empty property rates the current exemption threshold of a rateable value of 2,200 is to be increased to 15,000 for the financial year 2009-10.
	As set out in clause 27(i) of the Business Rates Supplement Bill currently before Parliament, no business rates supplement may be levied before 1 April 2010.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 351W, on non-domestic rates: ports, what the aggregate rateable value in respect of each port in England and Wales affected by the change in valuation was  (a) before and  (b) after the change.

John Healey: The Financial Secretary to the Treasury and I submitted a memorandum to the Treasury Select Committee on 5 November 2008 which included a table showing the aggregate changes in rateable values in ports from the review. I have placed this in the Library. It represents the most up to date complete table currently available.
	A revised table will be available at the end of January 2009 once the rating lists for the five remaining ports have been formally amended, in the light of any representations received in response to the notifications sent out by the respective valuation officers by 28 November.

Non-Domestic Rates: Small Businesses

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether small businesses will be automatically exempted from supplementary business rates.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) on 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 350W.

Non-Domestic Rates: Small Businesses

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what business rate multiplier she plans to use for  (a) small firms and  (b) medium and large firms in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10.

John Healey: The current small business rate multiplier for 2008-09 is set at 0.458 (45.8 pence in the pound) and will rise to 0.481 (48.1 pence) for 2009-10.
	The non-domestic multiplier (for larger businesses) is currently 0.462 (46.2 pence) for 2008-09 and will rise to 0.485 (48.5 pence) in 2009-10.

Opencast Mining: Planning Permission

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many applications for open cast coal mine developments were referred to the Secretary of State in each year since 1990, broken down by constituency of location.

Iain Wright: Planning applications for opencast coal developments that have been referred to the Secretary of State since 2001 are:
	
		
			  Application  Date of referral  Constituency 
			 Mansfield Conical Tip April 2001 Mansfield 
			 Eldon Deep Extension February 2002 Bishop Auckland 
			 Delhi Opencast Coal Site June 2007 Hexham 
			 Land adjacent to Longhirst Lane October 2008 Wansbeck 
		
	
	Data on planning applications referred between 1990 and 2001 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Opencast Mining: Planning Permission

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many applications for open cast coal mine developments were successful in each year since 1990; and in which constituency each was located.

Iain Wright: Responsibility for determination of planning applications lies in the first instance with the appropriate mineral planning authority for the area concerned. Information on the number of planning applications for open cast coal mine developments since 1990 is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Regional Development Agencies

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what timetable she has set for the designation of regional development agencies as regional planning bodies.

John Healey: Under the provisions set out in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill, there would be no regional planning bodies. Regional development agencies and local authority leaders' boards would be jointly responsible for producing and revising regional strategies.

Valuation: Information and Communications Technology

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much  (a) the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and  (b) agents working on behalf of the VOA have spent on the automated valuation model since September 2005.

John Healey: Since September 2005 approximately 6.2 million has been spent by  (a) the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to secure the investment in its automated valuation model (AVM).
	This includes payments made to the VOA's IT supplier, Capgemini, a proportion of which covers their expenditure with third party IT suppliers (under separate contracts). As the VOA is not party to these separate contracts, it is not possible to provide the amount spent by  (b) agents working on their behalf. Staffing costs associated with developing and maintaining the AVM are not recorded separately.

Vital Villages Programme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effect on rural communities of the Vital Villages programme.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I have been asked to reply.
	DEFRA sponsored the Countryside Agency, now partly superseded by the Commission for Rural Communities. The Countryside Agency ran the Vital Villages programme from 2001 until 2004. In 2005, they published 'Judging the success of the Vital Villages grants programme'. It concluded that it had been a successful scheme which had achieved its aims and brought a wide range of benefits to people in rural communities. Consequently, the lessons learnt from this programme are now being mainstreamed by Government and the third sector at the central, regional and local levels.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Elite Athlete Funding

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for elite athlete funding in the next three years.

Andy Burnham: In December, UK Sport announced a total of 292 million of funding for 19 Olympic and 15 Paralympic sports covering the next four financial years up to and including the London Games.
	Allocations to the remaining eight Olympic and four Paralympic sports will be announced by UK Sport at the end of this month.
	We remain committed to realising a further 50 million from the private sector to support this unprecedented public sector investment.

Tote

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with European Commission officials on transferring the Tote to the horseracing industry; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have had no recent discussions with the European Commission about transferring the Tote to the horseracing industry.

Digital Switchover: South Wales

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on ensuring that audio description is available via a single button on set-top boxes in advance of digital switchover in South Wales.

Andy Burnham: Revised core receiver requirements for equipment provided as part of the Digital Switchover Help Scheme were published on 11 November 2008. One button access to audio description from the remote control handset is now a mandatory requirement for the most costs effective option offered under the scheme.

Free Theatre

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress his Department has made on its programme for free theatre.

Andy Burnham: Arts Council England announced on 17 December that approximately 618,000 free theatre tickets for under 26-year-olds would be available between February 2009 and March 2011. Over 200 venues will be involved in the scheme, which is due to officially launch on 16 February. My Department is supporting this initiative which will help theatres fill their seats while building the audience of the future.

Free Theatre

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on his free theatre policies; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: Arts Council England announced on 17 December that approximately 618 000 free theatre tickets for under 26-year-olds would be available between February 2009 and March 2011. Over 200 venues will be involved in the scheme, which is due to officially launch on 16 February. My Department is supporting this initiative which will help theatres fill their seats while building the audience of the future.

Sport Participation

Ann Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people participated in regular sport in  (a) 2008 and  (b) 2007.

Gerry Sutcliffe: DCMS's Taking Part survey measured participation in regular Sport and Active Recreation as part of PSA3.
	21.5 per cent. of the population participated for 30 minutes, at least three times a week in 2007, rising to 22.5 per cent. in 2008.

Find Your Talent Initiative

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the find your talent initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: Work in the 10 Find Your Talent pathfinder areas was launched in September 2008. Pathfinder areas are now all embarked on a three year programme to trial the best ways to deliver five hours high quality cultural experience to every child in their area.

Broadcasting: Language Standards

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with representatives of broadcasting companies on language standards in broadcasting.

Andy Burnham: I regularly meet representatives of broadcasting companies to discuss a range of issues.
	Content standards are a matter for broadcasters and regulators working within the overall framework set by the Communications Act 2003 and the BBC Charter and Agreement.

Sports Clubs: Water Rates

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the impact on sports clubs of changes in the method of calculation of water rates.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department is aware of this issue and I willalong with my hon. Friend the Minister for the Natural and Marine Environmentbe seeking a meeting with Ofwat to establish what options are available to ensure community sports clubs are not disproportionately affected by these charges.
	I have also asked Sport England and the Central Council for Physical Recreation to see whether there is any systematic help they can provide to ensure community sports clubs' water charges have been calculated correctly.

Sporting Talent

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to increase the opportunities for the development of young sporting talent; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: We are passionate about developing our young talented sports people including those with disabilities. The Government support Sport England, the Youth Sport Trust and UK Sport who work with schools, clubs and national governing bodies to identify, support and provide guidance to talented young athletes. 2.3 million per year through the Gifted and Talented programme and 3 million per year through the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme will provide a strong structure to help young people fulfil their potential and progress as far as possible along their chosen sporting pathway.

Stadiums: South West

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the provision of stadiums for major events in the south-west.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government study 'Hosting the World Cup, published in February 2007, contains an assessment of the provision of football stadiums across England.
	I have made no further assessment of stadiums for major events.

Sport in Schools

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he next expects to meet local authorities to discuss measures to encourage sport in schools.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I regularly visit local authorities to see their excellent work for children and young people's PE and sport.
	Local authorities have an important role to play in delivering the PE and Sport Strategy for Young People and free swimming for under 16s. They and primary care trusts, working through Children's Trusts, have the lead in planning, resourcing and co-ordinating services for children and young people. Therefore they will provide close support to school and county sport partnerships in schemes such as the Sport Unlimited Workstrand within the strategy.
	Officials and our delivery partners will continue to work closely with local government to increase sporting opportunities for children and young people.

Betting Shops: Licensing

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2008,  Official Report, column 415W, on betting shops, how many premises licence applications for betting shops have been refused by local authorities on the grounds of proximity in relation to existing betting shops in the locality in the last 12 months.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Local authorities are not permitted to refuse applications for premises licences on the grounds of proximity in relation to existing betting shops in the locality. They must base their decisions on the licensing objectives of the Gambling Act 2005, guidance issued by the Gambling Commission, and their own three year licensing policy statement.

Broadband Stakeholders Group

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what  (a) administrative and  (b) financial support his Department has provided for the Broadband Stakeholders Group since it was established.

Andy Burnham: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not provided any administrative or financial support for the Broadband Stakeholders Group, but DCMS officials maintain close working relations with the group and attend some of the group's meetings.

Convergence Think Tank: Manpower

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of his Department's staff have provided support to the Convergence Think Tank.

Andy Burnham: Five members of the Department's staff worked full-time on the Convergence Think Tank project and one half-time. Additional support was provided by other officials prior to the commencement of the project and subsequently by the Department's corporate services on an ad hoc basis, but was not recorded separately.

Cricket: Schools

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what undertakings his Department gave to the England and Wales Cricket Board on Chance to Shine funding during the formation of the National Sports Foundation; and what steps his Department has taken to fulfil these undertakings as part of the new Sport England Strategy.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 12 January 2009
	Sport England invested 2 million in the Cricket Foundation's 'Chance to Shine' programme between November 2005 and March 2007. The formation of the National Sports Foundation led to an agreement that 'Chance to Shine' would receive investment of 2.5 million for the 2007-08 financial year. The National Sports Foundation has now been wound-down and its funds integrated with the new Whole Sport Plans. As a result 'Chance to Shine' will be funded through the ECB's Whole Sport Plan. The details of this plan, like the plans of all national governing bodies, are still under discussion and will be finalised in due course.

Departmental Catering

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which  (a) food and  (b) drinks suppliers have been used by his Department in each of the last three years; and how much his Department paid to each such supplier in each of those years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department has a contract with an external catering company who procure food on our behalf.
	The breakdown of the suppliers is as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Food 
			   
			  Supplier  2008  2007  2006 
			 3663 Confectionery 5,888 5,594 4,122 
			 Daily Fish 814 773 570 
			 Delice de France 2,545 2,417 1,781 
			 Enterprise Foods Ltd. 8,282 7,867 5,797 
			 3663 Frozen 3,508 3,332 2,455 
			 3663 Grocery 3,690 3,505 2,583 
			 NCB Foodservice Ltd. 15,458 14,685 10,821 
			 Nigel Fredericks 9,095 8,640 6,366 
			 MJ Seafoods 3,316 3,150 2,321 
			 Spring Fine Food Service Ltd. 5,837 5,545 4,086 
			 Town and Country 1,279 1,215 896 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Drinks 
			   
			  Supplier  2008  2007  2006 
			 Belu Water 4,409 4,189 3,087 
			 Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd. 3,434 3,262 2,403 
			 Majestic Wine 917 871 642 
			 First Choice Coffee 13,053 12,400 9,137 
			 West Horsley Dairy Company 10,200 9,690 7,140

Departmental Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to reply to the letter of 5 November 2008 from the hon. Member for Walsall North on a constituent (ref CMS/108315/asg).

Gerry Sutcliffe: I replied to the letter of 5 November from the hon. Member for Walsall, North on 15 December 2008. I will arrange for a copy to be sent.

Departmental Internet

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 549W, on the Departmental internet, what the initial costing of including return path functionality in digital set-top boxes made by the technical experts on his Department's Emerging Technology Group was; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The technical experts' estimate was that introducing return path functionality to a set-top box to provide internet connectivity would add an additional 40-80 to the cost per box. The Emerging Technologies Group is chaired by an official from my Department: technical expertise is provided by members representing the BBC, Digital UK and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Departmental Internet

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Active Places website has cost his Department in each year since the site's creation.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Sport England have advised that the Active Places website has cost the following amounts each year since its creation.
	
		
			   Cost ( million) 
			 2004-05 1.98 
			 2005-06 0.877 
			 2006-07 1.1 
			 2007-08 1.0 
			 2008-09 (estimate) 0.894

Departmental Plants

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the answer of 10 March 2008,  Official Report, column 138W, on departmental plants, how much his Department has spent on  (a) pot plants since March 2008 and  (b) flowers in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department has spent the following amounts on:
	 (a) Pot Plants
	April 2008 to December 2008: 10,110.01
	 (b) Flowers
	April 2006 to March 2007: 652.05
	April 2007 to March 2008: 665.76
	April 2008 to December 2008: 499.32
	Information prior to 2006 is not available.

Departmental Procurement

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of invoices for goods and services procured from small and medium-sized businesses were paid within 10 days of receipt by  (a) his Department and  (b) the agency for which his Department is responsible in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 16 December 2008
	Until October 2008, the Department was required to monitor and publish payment performance against a 30-day payment target and does not therefore currently publish information about payment within 10 days. However, following the Prime Minister's commitment of 8 October that central Government Departments will make payment within 10 days, we will additionally report 10-day payment performance from the period January to March 2009.
	The Department does not publish information about size of suppliers. We do not discriminate by size because many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.

Departmental Surveys

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department's central media and communication unit spent on public surveys in each of the last three years.

Barbara Follett: The total expenditure on public surveys for each of the last three year is:
	
		
			
			 2006-07 24,400 
			 2007-08 0 
			 2008-09 10,000

Digital Broadcasting

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what will happen to the transmitter at Winter Hill when the digital switchover is complete.

Andy Burnham: The Winter Hill site and mast will continue to be used after switchover with new transmitter equipment installed to broadcast the digital services.

Digital Broadcasting: Finance

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding his Department is providing for support and advice under the digital switchover help scheme in 2008-09.

Andy Burnham: The Digital Switchover Help Scheme is entirely funded by the TV licence fee. As detailed within the Scheme Agreement, I have agreed with the BBC Trust that the 603 million estimated cost of the scheme will be divided into annual amounts to be set aside from the licence fee for the purpose of funding the scheme. In nominal terms the provision made for 2008-09 is 67.6 million.

Digital Broadcasting: North West

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the estimated cost of digital switchover will be in the North West.

Andy Burnham: The bulk of expenditure by Digital UK on digital switchover is on advertising and communications to members of the public.
	I therefore refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 18 February 2008,  Official Report, column 324W. Copies of the letter are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Digital Radio Working Group

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the  (a) total and  (b) staffing cost to his Department has been of the Digital Radio Working Group since its establishment.

Andy Burnham: (a) The total costs to the Department of the Digital Radio Working Group (excluding staffing costs) have been approximately 29,700.
	 (b) The group was supported by the equivalent of 1.4 full-time DCMS staff. Using capitation rates(1) this equates to approximately 68,400.
	(1)Capitation rates cover average pay, national insurance and pension contribution costs, by grade, incurred by the Department, including taking account of a pay rise from 1 August 2008.

Digital Radio Working Group

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date the Digital Radio Working Group was set up; on what date it published its interim report; and when he expects it to publish its final report.

Andy Burnham: The Digital Radio Working Group was established in November 2007. The group's interim report was published on 23 June 2008, and the final report was published on 19 December 2008. Both reports are available on my Department's website.

Gambling

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent steps the Government has taken to support businesses within the gambling industry.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government have taken a number of recent steps to support businesses within the gambling industry. We have proposed to increase from four to eight the number of category B3 gaming machines which bingo clubs may offer. We have also proposed to double the maximum proceeds for individual society lottery draws to 4 million (which would allow for a 400,000 maximum prize per draw). In addition, the Government announced on 22 December 2008 its revised proposals in respect of increased stakes and prizes for certain category C and D gaming machines.
	We have introduced all of the above measures in response to the difficult trading conditions the industry has been experiencing. In doing so, we have balanced the needs of the gambling industry with the licensing objectives of the Gambling Act 2005, in particular the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

Gambling

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will announce decisions following the consultation on the Gambling Act (Variations of Monetary Limits for Gaming Machines) Order 2008.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The consultation on the Gambling Act (Variations of Monetary Limits for Gaming Machines) Order 2008 closes on 19 January 2009. A decision will be announced shortly after this date.

Gambling: Advertising

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many gambling operators have been  (a) investigated and  (b) penalised for irresponsible advertising under the gambling advertising codes introduced in September 2007.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) have advised that since 1 September 2007 they have received 334 complaints about 274 advertisements for betting and gaming products and services.
	Of these, the ASA considered there were grounds to formally or informally investigate 43 complaints about 36 advertisements. Of those, 27 complaints about 25 advertisements were upheld or upheld in part.
	An ASA compliance survey of gambling advertisements across media in 2007, after the tightened gambling codes came into effect to coincide with the Gambling Act 2005, revealed a 99 per cent. compliance rate with the Advertising Codes.

ICT: Reviews

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of his Department's staff have provided support for the Digital Britain Review.

Andy Burnham: To date, seven members of the Department's staff have been working full-time on the Digital Britain project, and three part-time. Additional support has been provided on an ad hoc basis by other policy officials and by the Department's corporate services, but has not been recorded separately.

Legacy Trust

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of funding dispersed by the Legacy Trust to date has been spent on  (a) cultural and  (b) sporting projects.

Andy Burnham: The Legacy Trust UK was established with a 40 million endowment from the Big Lottery Fund, the Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to support a wide range of innovative cultural and sporting activities for all, which celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games and leave a lasting legacy in communities throughout the United Kingdom.
	While the Legacy Trust UK (LTUK) has made a number of decisions regarding the allocation of their funding, those projects are a long way from completion and it is not possible to give an accurate breakdown of the activities provided at this stage. However, the Trust aim for approximately 70 per cent. of its endowment to be spent on cultural activities, with the remaining 30 per cent. on sports projects.

Legacy Trust

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what projects have received funding from the Legacy Trust of more than 100,000 to date.

Andy Burnham: The Legacy Trust UK was established with a 40 million endowment from the Big Lottery Fund, the Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to support a wide range of innovative cultural and sporting activities for all, which celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games and leave a lasting legacy in communities throughout the United Kingdom.
	While the Legacy Trust UK (LTUK) has made a number of decisions regarding the allocation of their funding, to date, only the following grants (of above 100,000) have been made to projects:
	 National Programmes
	UK School Games 2008: 2.3 million
	LTUK's other three national programmes are currently under development. Announcements on these programmes will be made throughout 2009.
	 Nations and Regions Programmes
	East Midlands: 140,000
	While the LTUK has made decisions on eight of the 12 Nations and Regions grants, totalling over 16 million, these projects are, on the whole, still in a development phase and project expenditure has been minimal. LTUK are waiting for grant recipients to draw down the funds against their four-year business plans.

Members: Correspondence

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will reply to the hon. Member for Luton South's letter of 10 July 2008 about Mr R. Fisk of Luton.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I apologise for the delay in replying to the hon. Member. The Department has no record of receiving the original correspondence. A duplicate copy was requested and received on 17 October 2008. I responded on 13 January 2009.

Playing Fields: Planning Permission

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the answer of 1 November 2006,  Official Report, column 421W, on playing fields, how many planning applications have been approved affecting sites which either were too small or of the wrong shape to accommodate a playing pitch as currently defined in each year since 2004-05.

Andy Burnham: Sport England has advised that, for the years in which figures are currently available, the following number of applications were approved where the land affected was either too small or the wrong shape to accommodate a playing pitch:
	
		
			   Number of approved applications 
			 2004-05 245 
			 2005-06 314 
		
	
	Sport England does not hold any figures on applications where the playing field area may contain only a pitch less than 0.4 ha, as these would not be referred to them under the statutory instrument.

Public Libraries

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of households in each local authority area lived within  (a) one mile and  (b) two miles of a static library in each of the last three years.

Barbara Follett: The information requested is published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in Public Library Statistics. The House of Commons Library holds copies for the period in question.

Public Service Agreement

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to publish his final assessment of progress made towards meeting his Department's public service agreement performance targets since the Spending Review in 2004.

Andy Burnham: The latest assessment of progress made towards meeting my Department's outstanding public service agreement performance targets from the Spending Review 2004 was published in December 2008 in my Department's Autumn Performance Report 2008, which can be found at the following website address:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5686.aspx
	and in the Libraries of both Houses.

Sport England: Finance

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what undertakings have been made to non-Olympic sports in respect of their Sport England funding over the period 2008 to 2012.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 12 January 2009
	Sport England recently announced its National Governing Body funding decisions for 2009-13. Awards have been made to 46 national governing bodies, with a total in excess of 155 million being made available to 15 non-Olympic sports as follows:
	
		
			
			 Angling 1,561,906 
			 Baseball and Softball 2,700,000 
			 Bowls 756,750 
			 Cricket 37,776,725 
			 Golf 12,851,500 
			 Lacrosse 2,210,993 
			 Mountaineering 1,287,850 
			 Movement and Dance 741,552 
			 Netball 17,300,000 
			 Orienteering 2,275,000 
			 Rounders 2,200,000 
			 Rugby League 29,408,341 
			 Rugby Union 30,724,908 
			 Squash 12,600,000 
			 Waterskiing 951,373 
		
	
	Sport England will also operate other funding streams to replace the existing Community Investment Fund and support the creation of a world leading community sports system. These will be open to all recognised national governing bodies and other sports organisations, including clubs, and will include 'themed' funding rounds, a small grants scheme, a facilities fund and an innovation fund.

Sports Legacy Board

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the first meeting of the Sports Legacy Board will take place.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We are currently finalising the date of the first meeting and anticipate that it will be held in the spring.

Television: North West

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households are still operating on analogue television in the North West.

Andy Burnham: The Digital UK and Ofcom Switchover Tracker Survey for the Third Quarter of 2008 estimates that approximately 330,000 households in the Granada region are watching analogue television on their primary TV set.

Tourism

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of progress made towards reaching his Department's target to improve productivity in the tourism, creative and leisure industries.

Andy Burnham: The most recent assessment of progress against the target to improve productivity in the tourism, creative and leisure industries was published in December 2008 in my Department's Autumn Performance Report 2008, which can be found at the following website address:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5686.aspx
	and in the Libraries of both Houses.
	In summary, there has been a slight downturn in the productivity trend for the creative industries. For the leisure industries, there has been some reasonable productivity growth; however, this is counteracted by decreases in the productivity of travel agencies/tour operators caused by big reductions in employment.

VisitBritain: Finance

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding the Government has provided directly to VisitBritain in each of the last three years.

Barbara Follett: The following table shows the grant in aid final outturn figures for VisitBritain in each of the last three years. These figures are published in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Resource Accounts which are audited by the NAO.
	
		
			  Visit Britain grant in aid 
			   Outturn (000) 
			 2005-06 48,900 
			 2006-07 49,900 
			 2007-08 50,650

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Reconstruction

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which organisation has managed each project funded by his Department in Helmand province since 2005; what the budget of each was; how much has been spent in each case; what monitoring, impact assessments and evaluations have been undertaken; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) began its programme of bilateral support to Helmand in 2006, committing to spend 30 million in the province from 2006-07 to 2008-09. DFID spent 23.7 million from 2006-07 to 2007-08, and will spend around 23 million in 2008-09, meaning a spend of around 46 million over the three-year period. Itemised details of spend are listed. For security reasons, a number of our implementing partners prefer to keep a discreet profile and therefore we maintain confidentiality about their identities.
	The primary channel for DFID support is the Helmand Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (HARDP). The programme is implemented by the government of Afghanistan (both the Ministry for Rural Rehabilitation and Development and the Ministry for Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock). 14.8 million has so far been disbursed through this programme in 2006-08. The government of Afghanistan is responsible for the allocation of funds to, and evaluation of, the hundreds of individual projects under HARDP. Once complete, each phase of HARDP is subjected to a formal DFID Project Completion Report. An independent review published in September 2008 concluded that the programme's accomplishments had been significant.
	DFID has been funding UN Habitat since early 2007 to undertake community and municipal development work in central Lashkar Gah. UN Habitat works directly with the government of Afghanistan's municipal authority and with locally-selected Community Development Councils: a two-year programme worth 2.4 million is being implemented until 2010, including the creation of community development councils and projects such as drainage ditches, gravelled roads and waste disposal.
	Monitoring and evaluating activity in Helmand brings particular challenges. Many parts of the province remain insecure, and access by international staff to many areas is impossible. DFID has consequently developed a range of strategies to ensure programmes are properly monitored. These include working closely with military colleagues to access insecure areas, and identifying implementing partners from local communities, who can travel relatively freely within the regions where they live. We are in the process of contracting a third-party organisation to provide independent evaluation of our work and its impact.

Afghanistan: Reconstruction

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcomes of each project undertaken by his Department in the areas of development and reconstruction in Helmand province were in each of the last three years.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) will spend around 46 million in Helmand over the three-year period 2006-09. Mainly channelled through the government of Afghanistan, this has supported many hundreds of individual projects at community level and helped the government of Afghanistan to establish a presence and a capability in the province. Given the number of projects involved, we assess our impact through broader programme outcomes.
	Our support has resulted in the construction of 2,451 wells, benefiting over 400,000 people. Irrigation has been restored to 13,800 hectares of land, 5,800 hectares have been newly irrigated and 59 km of road completed. These government of Afghanistan-led programmes have delivered cleaner water and better sanitation for 1,500 families in Lashkar Gah. DFID's 1.5 million commitment to the Governor of Helmand's wheat seed distribution programme this year helped the government to offer over 30,000 families a viable alternative to poppy cultivation.

Afghanistan: Reconstruction

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which sectors in Afghanistan are covered by his Department's Helmand road map; how much is to be spent on the road map; how its effectiveness will be measured; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Helmand Road Map contains eight strands of activity: politics and reconciliation; security; governance; rule of law; economic development; counter narcotics; strategic communications; and district reconstruction and development.
	28 million has been made available from the tri-Departmental Stabilisation Aid Fund in 2008-09 to support the Helmand Road Map. DFID has made available an additional 23 million to be spent in the province in 2008-09.
	An internal review of progress towards meeting the conditions required to stabilise Helmand is made every six months, drawing in views from the Civil Military Mission and Task Force Helmand. The Mission is seeking to improve the quality of the measures of effect used to identify trends in progress against the Road Map, using a combination of hard data (for example, the use of basic state functions such as health and education services), proxy indicators (for example, the numbers of vehicles moving on specific roads as an indicator of improved security), polling data, and assessments of progress in building the capability of Afghan institutions.

Afghanistan: Reconstruction

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's objectives in Helmand province are for the next two years.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development's (DFID) Afghanistan country plan for 2009-13 is currently under development. All activity will be guided by the UK strategy for Afghanistan announced by the Prime Minister in December 2007. In Helmand, DFID is committed to playing a full part in the UK effort set out in the Helmand Roadmap. DFID's role in the province is to support stabilisation, to lay the foundations for long-term development and to influence other donors to focus their work in the province. Our goal is to manage the eventual transition of support in Helmand from short-term stabilisation funding to more sustainable, long-term provision of development assistance in line with the priorities of the government of Afghanistan.

Africa: Overseas Aid

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid the UK has provided to  (a) Zimbabwe and  (b) sub-Saharan Africa in each of the last five years; what he expects UK's aid commitment to his region to be in each of the next three years; what assessment he has made of the work undertaken by (i) the UK and (ii) the international community to further the United Nations Declaration on the New Partnership for Africa's Development; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Department for International Development (DFID) assistance to Zimbabwe and the sub-Saharan Africa over the last five and next three years is as follows:
	
		
			   million 
			  Financial year  Total aid to sub-Saharan Africa  Aid to Zimbabwe  Comments 
			 2003-04 677.942 36.006  
			 2004-05 827.566 27.355  
			 2005-06 1,099.875 35.376  
			 2006-07 1,186.467 34.072  
			 2007-08 1,301.764 43.266  
			 2008-09 1,278.14 44.00 Forecast expenditure 
			 2009-10 1,500.00 40.00 Planned expenditure 
			 2010-11 1,750.00 40.00 Planned expenditure 
		
	
	No allocations have yet been set for 2011-12 onwards, as this falls into the next comprehensive spending review period. Our assistance to Zimbabwe in future years may be significantly revised in the event of positive political developments there.
	In September 2002, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a Declaration on the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), welcoming NEPAD as an African Union led, owned and managed initiative. It recognised that primary responsibility for implementation rested with the African Governments and peoples and affirmed that international support for implementation was essential.
	The UK Government are playing their part in providing international support to NEPAD programmes. We have committed funds to support the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which aims to improve food security, nutrition and incomes. We support the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). This support, along with funds from other donor countries, is managed by the UN Development Programme and used to support the APRM Secretariat. We also provide support to NEPAD's Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility, which helps African countries, Regional Economic Communities and related institutions mobilise resources for the preparation of regional infrastructure projects and programmes.
	In July 2003, the Africa Union (AU) adopted a declaration by which NEPAD was to be fully integrated into the structures and processes of the AU. This should help to streamline the African regional institutional architecture. The UK Government are working with others to assist the AU, including through funding a programme to improve systems and communications at the AU Commission. A stronger AU could play a major role in delivering the African led development envisaged by NEPAD.

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission: Equality

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people of each  (a) sex and  (b) ethnicity were appointed to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: A gender breakdown of appointments to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission over the last five years is given as follows:
	
		
			   Male appointees  Female appointees  Total ethnic minority appointees  Total appointees 
			 2004 2 1 0 3 
			 2005(1) 
			 2006 3 1 0 4 
			 2007(1) 
			 2008 3 3 1 6 
			 (1 )None.

Departmental Buildings

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recommendations have been made by the Carbon Trust to his Department following energy audits conducted on its buildings; and what progress has been made on implementing these recommendations.

Ivan Lewis: Reports were commissioned via the Carbon Trust on our two UK offices. The main recommendations made, and the actions taken, are as follows:
	Improved control over our Building Management Systemsthis has been achieved in both offices by upgrading the software on the computer systems which operate the plant, and which in turn allow us to monitor and adjust more effectively the performance of heating and cooling equipment.
	Reduce incoming voltagethis has been achieved in our London office through investment in dedicated equipment in February 2008 which has reduced our electricity consumption in the building by 15 per cent.. Similar equipment is due to be installed in our East Kilbride office in February 2009.
	Improved control over lightingall lighting in both offices is now of modern energy efficient design, and we have improved the control over movement sensors and lighting controls to eliminate unnecessary usage. We have upgraded the lighting in the plant level of our London Headquarters which in itself is now saving approximately 1 per cent. of the electricity use in the building.
	Turning off electrical appliances when not in usewe carry out awareness campaigns among staff, and unused PCs are turned off at weekends by security staff.
	Improved space utilisationwe have reduced the amount of space occupied by staff since the reports were produced, and are currently planning for a further reduction.
	As a result of these and other changes made, our energy consumption decreased by 5 per cent. in 2007-08 over the previous year, and we are currently on track to achieve a larger reduction this financial year. We are also continuing to work with Carbon Trust to assess the feasibility of other specific energy efficiency measures including a wind turbine, biomass boiler and microgeneration.

Departmental Committees

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to his Department's Annual Report 2008, chapter 10, point 10.4, how many times each committee met during 2006-07; and what expenses were incurred in holding those meetings.

Ivan Lewis: Four of the five sub-committees outlined in the 2008 Departmental annual report were active during the period 2006-07. The Investment Committee was under development in late 2007 and had its inaugural meeting on 29 February 2008. Details of the number of meetings held and the expenses incurred are outlined in the following table:
	
		
			  Committee  Number of meetings in 2006-07  Expenses incurred () 
			 Development Committee 5 103.16 
			 Audit Committee 5 4,060.50 
			 Investment Committee 0 0 
			 Human Resource and Strategy Committee 6 0 
			 Senior Civil Service Management and Pay Committee 14 0 
		
	
	The higher level of expense incurred by the Audit Committee is due to work undertaken by the non-executive directors above and beyond their pro bono contributions.

Departmental Committees

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many times the departmental-wide working group established to provide comments and contribute to organisational directions for the Corporate Plan has met; who chairs the group; and what the names and positions are of each member of the group.

Michael Foster: Instead of a corporate plan, the Department for International Development (DFID) launched a change programme 'Making it Happen' in April 2008. The programme was shaped by meetings of DFID's Leadership Group, including the directors responsible for DFID's 13 divisions. There are board level champions or director-level Senior Responsible Offices for each element of 'Making it Happen'. Progress is discussed on a monthly basis by DFID's Management Board, and by the Leadership Group, both chaired by the Permanent Secretary. All members of the senior civil service whether based in the UK or overseas have been encouraged to discuss various Making it Happen themes with their staff making clear what this means for them in practice and providing feedback to the central Change Unit.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of contractors and suppliers to his Department have reported that they are compliant with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008.

Ivan Lewis: To ensure compliance with the new data handling procedures in Government, the Department for International Development has introduced the mandatory data handling clauses into all relevant contracts issued from the 1 July 2008. An exercise to review existing contracts is also underway.

Departmental Disabled Staff

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has made workplace adjustments to accommodate employees with a disability.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) has looked at the needs of persons with a range of disabilitiese.g. mobility problems, impaired hearing, hidden disabilities, etc. and has made a number of workplace adjustments across the Department to accommodate staff with a disability and comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Departmental ICT

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what provision has been made to train his Department's staff on the implementation and use of the new Quest system; and what the cost of such training per staff member will be.

Ivan Lewis: The Quest Electronic Document and Records Management (EDRM) System project was completed in 2007. All staff were provided with a minimum of one and a half days of training, and more specialist training was provided as needed.
	The cost per staff member cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Official Cars

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what policies his Department has to monitor his staff's vehicle usage.

Ivan Lewis: The Department For International Development (DFID) has a travel policy which discourages the use of private motor vehicles for official travel where public transport is available.
	Employees who travel by private vehicle for official travel must ensure that their car insurance provides cover for business travel and they have approval to use the vehicle for official trips.
	DFID also actively encourages car sharing for employees commuting as part of our environmental initiatives.
	Any vehicle mileage claims are checked in line with standard Government accounting procedures.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on agency temporary staffing for its UK offices in the last three years.

Ivan Lewis: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer provided to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 28 October 2008,  Official Report, column 935W.

Guatemala: Women

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what  (a) funding and  (b) other support his Department is providing in 2008-09 for organisations in Guatemala that seek to increase the number of investigations and prosecutions of violent offences against women in that country.

Ivan Lewis: In 2008-09, DFID is putting 60,000 into the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). The CICIG aims to increase the number of investigations and prosecutions of violent offences, including those against women. The objectives of the project are to support, strengthen and assist state institutions responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes, and to contribute to the dismantling of illegal security forces and clandestine security organisations and the criminal prosecution of individuals involved in their activities.
	In addition, the British embassy in Guatemala City is providing Oxfam GB with 10,000 this financial year for two projects which aim to educate women (mainly indigenous women) on their human rights and specifically on their rights of access to justice within the Guatemalan legal system. The embassy is also funding a project with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). While this is not specifically targeting women, it does aim to strengthen the administration of justice and the rule of law. It involves training for judges, lawyers and prosecutors on international human rights law with the objectives of increasing judicial independence, decreasing impunity and abolishing the death penalty. The embassy is providing the ICJ with 10,000 in 2008-09.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development is unable to confirm if any employees are former prisoners. All new recruits are required to declare unspent criminal convictions which are checked as part of the Cabinet Office mandated Baseline Personnel Security Standard process, before they are offered a contract of employment. Where appropriate national security vetting checks are also undertaken and these include a review of spent convictions. Declarations of criminal convictions, which may or may not involve prison sentences, are not collated centrally but retained on classified individual personnel security files.
	The Department does not discriminate against former prisoners. Appointments are made on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition, in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code, equal opportunities legislation, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and an assessment in the round of any security factors presented.

Poverty

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what major measurable indicators his Department is contributing to addressing international poverty, as referred to in the Public Service Agreement.

Ivan Lewis: A summary of performance against the agreed indicators for the 2008-11 Public Service Agreement 29 on international poverty reduction was published in DFID's Autumn Performance Report in December. The report is available in the Library and on the DFID website:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/aut-perf-report-08.pdf.

Public Service Agreements

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department will have met all of its Public Service Agreement targets by the end of the 2005 to 2008 plan.

Ivan Lewis: Details of the Department for International Development's (DFID) progress on its public service agreements are available in the Autumn Performance Report published in December 2008. The report is available in the Library and on the DFID website:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/aut-perf-report-08.pdf.

St. Helena: Airports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his most recent estimate is of the length of time which will be required for the proposed airport on St. Helena to be brought into service once approval has been granted.

Douglas Alexander: No decision has been made on the project. It would therefore be inappropriate to provide further information at this stage.

St. Helena: Airports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his most recent estimate was of the cost to the public purse of the proposed St. Helena airport before the pause in negotiations on the airport was announced.

Douglas Alexander: It would be inappropriate to release any financial information, including cost estimates, relating to improving access to St. Helena as these could influence future negotiations.

St. Helena: Airports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he plans to publish the environmental impact assessment of the proposed St. Helena airport development.

Douglas Alexander: The environmental statement for the proposed St. Helena airport and supporting infrastructure was published in May 2008. It is available at:
	www.sainthelenaaccess.com

Zimbabwe: Cholera

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe.

Ivan Lewis: The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate. The cholera epidemic is the biggest in Zimbabwe's history. The UN is predicting that as many as 60,000 could be affected in the coming weeks. DFID is funding a 10 million package to help fight the cholera outbreak and support life-saving health services.
	Tackling this outbreak represents a major coordinated international effort, led by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF with support from a wide range of bilateral partners (including USAID, ECHO, the Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, France, Canada and Australia) and local and international NGO's. The response is co-ordinated in Harare and the UK is actively engaged.

Zimbabwe: Diamonds

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether it is the Government's policy to support calls for a suspension of Zimbabwe from the Kimberley Process for diamonds.

Ivan Lewis: Reports of violence and state-sponsored murder in and around Marange diamond mine are a major cause for concern. The UK Government, who are represented in the Kimberley Process by the European Union (EU), is working with their partners, the diamond industry and civil society groups, to investigate this illegal trade and stem the flow of illicit diamonds from Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe: Overseas Aid

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of distribution of humanitarian aid in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Deliberate aid obstruction (in the form of a government ban on NGO activities) was a feature of the election period in 2008. This coupled with long-term policy failures and economic mismanagement by the government of Zimbabwe means that the country is facing its largest ever cholera epidemic and over five million peoplein this highly fertile countryare receiving international food assistance.
	Occasional localised instances of humanitarian obstruction can never be entirely ruled out but, according to latest UN reporting, there have been no impediments to humanitarian access reported by partner organisations on the ground in recent weeks. The UN monitors this situation closely and is quick to respond to any problems with obstruction or political interference in aid delivery.

Zimbabwe: Overseas Aid

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many UK humanitarian workers have been refused visas to enter Zimbabwe since November 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The UK Government generally do not consider the Government of Zimbabwe to be a credible development or humanitarian partner and we do not receive systematic reports on visa and other issues related to humanitarian work. However, there have been a number of reports of international NGO workers being refused or having difficulty in securing temporary employment permits which allow for longer stays.
	This kind of behaviour is unfortunately symptomatic of a Government which has little or no regard for the welfare of its people. We are working as part of a co-ordinated international effort to tackle the worst cholera crisis in Zimbabwe's history, to provide food aid to over 5 million people and to meet other basic humanitarian needs. As part of this, any obstructive behaviour by the Government of Zimbabwe will be raised with them directly through UN channels.

TREASURY

Car Allowances

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the rate for approved mileage allowance payment was last set.

Stephen Timms: The current rates for approved mileage allowance payments were introduced in April 2002.

Charities

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which  (a) charities and  (b) voluntary organisations his Department has provided funding in the last five years; and how much funding was provided to each.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury does not provide any direct funding to charities or voluntary organisations. Government funding for a charity or voluntary organisation would be delivered through the Department with policy responsibility for the area in which the organisation operates.

Child Benefit

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average period between approval of an application for child benefit and the first benefit payment was in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown) on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 328W.

Child Benefit

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average time taken to process applications for child benefit in the most recent period for which information is available; and what steps he plans to take to reduce that time.

Stephen Timms: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown) on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 328W.

Churches: Repairs and Maintenance

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the names of those on the inter-departmental working group set up to look into the repair of church buildings and the bodies they represent.

Yvette Cooper: Following the commitment made in Budget 2007 to examine how the Government can help churches and heritage buildings, officials and Ministers from: HM Treasury; Communities and Local Government; the Office of the Third Sector; the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have met with the Church of England Archbishops' Council to consider ways in which church buildings might benefit from existing departmental programmes in order to support the Government's community objectives.

Clear Line of Sight Programme

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the Clear Line of Sight project; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Good progress continues to be made in taking forward the Clear Line of Sight project. The Government submitted an initial Memorandum to Parliament in November 2008, setting out the high level principles and proposals underpinning the project. The Government plan to submit formal proposals in a second Memorandum to Parliament in due course, reflecting comments received from the Parliamentary Committees on its initial proposals, as well as the outcome of an external consultation exercise conducted during the autumn of 2008.

Debts

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the International Monetary Fund on its assessment of  (a) public and  (b) private debt in the UK.

Ian Pearson: The Chancellor maintains regular contact with international financial institutions. As President of the G20, the UK is actively working with the International Monetary Fund to strengthen international macro-economic and financial surveillance.

Departmental Air Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many official journeys  (a) he and his predecessors and  (b) his officials made by plane in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested could not be provided within the disproportionate costs threshold.

Departmental Catering

David Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which  (a) food and  (b) drinks suppliers have been used by his Department in each of the last three years; and how much his Department paid to each such supplier in each of those years.

Angela Eagle: The catering company providing facilities within the Treasury is contracted under the Department's PFI contract and not directly employed by the Department. The contractor's suppliers and amounts spent are commercially sensitive and are not available for publication.

Departmental ICT

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what IT systems used by his Department access data from the central Frameworks Database; and what the stated purpose of each system is;
	(2)  what calculations of  (a) tax,  (b) tax allowances and  (c) tax credits undertaken by his Department access data from the central Frameworks Database;
	(3)  which Government Departments other than his own have access to data from the central Frameworks Database.

Stephen Timms: The following HMRC IT systems interface with Corporate Data Frameworks and Benefits Payments Engines.
	
		
			  IT System  Purpose 
			 National Insurance Recording System NIRS2 is a suite of services that administer and maintain the UK National Insurance (NI) system. 
			 Student Loans Business Service Administration of Collection of Student Loans. 
			 Self Assessment Tracing Used by the HMRC Accounts Office to trace returned letter service addresses 
			 CESA (Self Assessment) Maintains a data base of Self Assessment customer records including Tax Return and Liability and Payment details. 
			 Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) Supports operation of Construction Industry Scheme. 
			 Structured Access Requests Structured Access Requests allows people to tell us about changes to their details, such as a new address, via the internet. 
			 Taxpayer Business Service Provides on-line functionality to trace and maintain taxpayer designator/ details for all PAYE and SA cases. 
			 Corporate Payments Made Framework Used to make Child Trust Fund payments to the Financial Institution providers of the Trust funds 
			 Payments Made Framework Used by the New Tax Credits system to make payments to customers 
			 The Pensions Scheme Service Application Allows the registration and maintenance of Pension Scheme Returns for all pensions. 
			 Strategic Accounting Framework Exploitation An accounting tool. 
			 Computerisation of PAYE (COP) System supports operation of PAYE. 
			 Movements 2003 System supports operation of PAYE. 
			 Integrated Debt Management System To receive payment and account for tax and other liabilities; to process declarations for C and E taxes, duties etc; to update customer records; and to take the correct action to bring in late returns and payments. 
			 Filing by Internet Allows customers to file returns and forms on line. 
			 Operational Data Store Main transactional databases for information passed to and from Head of Duty systems. 
			 Enterprise Application Integration Enterprise Application Integration - Service bus to route messages between applications for different types of technology. To aggregate data into frameworks 
			 Child Benefit Computer System Used for the administration and payment of Child Benefit 
			 Child Trust Fund (CTF) Automated system that issues CTF vouchers and tracks the opening of trust fund accounts on behalf of children born after 31 August 2002. Introduced in 2005. Service/costs include the CTF Index, originally built as a migration tool for CB2, but now used to automatically validate children in relation to claims for Child Tax Credit. This service matches Child Benefit Computer System personal details data against Citizen Identity framework to identify or create records for adults and children on CID. 
			 New Tax Credits The core system integrates closely with the corporate data frameworks and the payments made framework to make Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit payments. 
			 GGIS (Government Gateway) GGIS does not directly access CID; GGIS sends out known facts update file from the data stores. The data stores talk to CID and there is an interchange of data between. 
			 Citizen E-portal Allows customers to check if they qualify for tax credits. 
			 Contact History Stores and retrieves contacts maintaining a history of contacts between the HMRC and its customers 
			 Corporate Data Warehouse The system which stores data from various departmental systems and allows users, to join, manipulate and interrogate data 
			 Business Review of Collection Service (BROCS) Employers' ledger record. Receives and accounts for employees PAYE deductions made by employer 
			 Employer Business Service Employer Business Service is the system used for recording PAYE records for business and individuals who employ staff. 
			 Electronic Resource Information Capture Stores details of employers' end of year submissions until a complete return is held and can be processed. 
		
	
	The calculations of tax, tax allowances and tax credits are done in the main IT systems for those taxes and tax credits. A number of these systems utilise the frameworks data.
	No other Government Departments have access to Central Frameworks. However, HMRC do share names, addresses and NINO data from the Central Frameworks with DWP.

Departmental Surveys

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department's central media and communication unit spent on public surveys in each of the last three years.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1392W.

Economic Situation

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will adopt a public procurement policy to assist British companies during the current financial situation.

Angela Eagle: Public procurement is subject to EU and international regulations set in place to open up markets and prevent discrimination. The Government's procurement policy is to achieve value for money for the taxpayer, usually achieved through competition.
	Within those policy and legal obligations the Government are committed to being a good customer to industry. Since publication of the Treasury report Transforming Government Procurement in 2007, a number of measures have been set in place to improve procurement capability and professionalism.
	Specific measures implemented in response to the downturn include the announcement of a target for Government Departments to aim to pay all invoices within 10 working days. Also, the European Commission has announced a relaxation of the timescales under the public procurement rules to allow for faster procurement processes where this will be of benefit to industry in the current climate. These changes have been promulgated to purchasing authorities.

Landfill Tax

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of  (a) the total tonnage of waste and  (b) the revenue from landfill tax on waste sent to landfill in (i) 2006, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008, broken down by (A) non-recyclable materials and (B) recyclable material in the form of (1) glass, (2) paper, (3) plastics, (4) organic waste, (5) wood, (6) metals, (7) textiles and (8) electronic items.

Angela Eagle: Total tonnage of waste and landfill tax receipts for 2006-07 and 2007-08 are published by HM Revenue and Customs at:
	http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulllandfill.
	Please note the revenue figures for 2008 are not yet available. HM Revenue and Customs will publish these figures at the end of May. There are no data available for non-recyclable materials and recyclable materials that have been sent to landfill.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead of 22 October 2008 on behalf of a constituent regarding economic difficulties.

Ian Pearson: Due to the large volume of correspondence received on these issues, there has been a delay in sending some responses. The Treasury hopes to be in a position to reply to the hon. Member shortly.

Members: Correspondence

John Penrose: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letters of 15 October 2008 and 9 December 2008 from the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare on his constituent Mr. Ian Wild.

Ian Pearson: Due to the large volume of correspondence received on these issues there has been a delay in sending some responses. The Treasury hopes to be in a position to reply to the hon. Member shortly.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 13 November 2008, on NDFA investments via Lehman Brothers Treasury Company BV, PO reference 1/63049/2008.

Ian Pearson: Due to the large volume of correspondence received on these issues there has been a delay in sending some responses. The Treasury hopes to be in a position to reply to the hon. Member shortly.

Members: Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letters of 27 October and 9 December 2008 from the hon. Member for Forest of Dean, reference FD4347, regarding Kaupthing Isle of Man customers.

Ian Pearson: Due to the large volume of correspondence received on these issues there has been a delay in sending some responses. The Treasury hopes to be in a position to reply to the hon. Member shortly.

Members: Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when a reply will be sent to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford's letter of 13 October 2008, Treasury Reference: 5/03547/2008, concerning Mr S A Mack of Chelmsford; and what the reasons are for the time taken to reply.

Ian Pearson: I have replied to the hon. Member. HM Treasury has received unusually high volumes of correspondence in recent months, and letters have taken longer than usual to respond to.

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter of 25 November 2008 from the hon. Member for Walsall North on a constituent (ref: PO 5/03827/2008).

Ian Pearson: Due to the large volume of correspondence received on these issues there has been a delay in sending some responses. The Treasury hopes to be in a position to reply to the hon. Member shortly.

Members: Correspondence

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills of  (a) 10 October 2008 in respect of Mr David Hill and Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander,  (b) 13 October 2008 in respect of Castings PLC and Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander and  (c) 16 October 2008 in respect of Mr Peter Sault and the Royal Bank of Scotland and Roywest Holdings.

Ian Pearson: Due to the large volume of correspondence received on these issues there has been a delay in sending some responses. The Treasury hopes to be in a position to reply to the hon. Member shortly.

Public Expenditure

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's public sector capital expenditure was in each year since 1997-98; and what the planned public sector capital expenditure is for  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Yvette Cooper: The Government set out their spending plans twice a year, in the Budget and the pre-Budget report. Latest figures on spending plans are published in Table B10 of PBR08. Outturns are reported monthly in the Public Sector Finance Release published jointly by HM Treasury and the Office for National Statistics.

Public Expenditure

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's public sector current expenditure was in each year since 1997-98; and what the planned public sector current expenditure is for  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Yvette Cooper: The Government set out their spending plans twice a year, in the Budget and the pre-Budget report. Latest figures on spending plans are published in Table B10 of the 2008 pre-Budget report. Outturn against plans is reported monthly in the Public Sector Finance Release published jointly by HM Treasury and the Office for National Statistics.

Revenue and Customs: Yorkshire and the Humber

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the savings from the reorganisation of HM Revenue and Customs office space in Yorkshire and the Humber; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The reorganisation of HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC's) office space in Yorkshire and the Humber will yield estimated annual estates savings of 12.6 million. These are however only part of the overall savings HMRC expects to achieve from the restructuring of its business and estate. The main reason for the reorganisation is to allow HMRC to achieve operational efficiencies and better customer service across the UK by consolidating staff and work in fewer locations and introducing new and more efficient working practices.

Revenue and Customs: Yorkshire and the Humber

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from local authorities on proposed tax office closures in Yorkshire and the Humber; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials receive representations from a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.

Revenue and Customs: Yorkshire and the Humber

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the HM Revenue and Customs reorganisation programme on levels of employment in Yorkshire and the Humber; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: HMRC is reorganising its business across the UK so that it can operate more efficiently, and provide better customer service, with fewer staff. Its offices in Yorkshire and the Humber have been reviewed as part of the programme to align estate with future business requirements. Staff in offices that are due to close will wherever possible relocate to one of the long-term locations. If they cannot do so, alternative redeployment options will be considered, including redeployment to another public service employer.

Tax Allowances: Self-Employed

Stephen Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the public purse was of tax relief for training by the self-employed allowable under PAYE in 2007-08.

Stephen Timms: Training costs are an allowable expense against profits for the self-employed but the amount claimed is not separately identified on their self-assessment tax returns, so estimates of the cost are not available.

Valuation Office: Cole Layer Trumble

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement between Cole Layer Trumble/Tyler Technologies and the organisation which acts as the agent of the Valuation Office Agency, redacting any commercially confidential information.

Stephen Timms: The Valuation Office Agency is not a party to the agreement and so is not able to provide a copy of it.

VAT: Sunscreens

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to reduce value added tax on suncare products which give children protection against the effects of the sun.

Stephen Timms: All taxes are kept under review and any changes are announced by the Chancellor as part of the Budget process.
	The case for a VAT reduction for sun care products has been looked at carefully, but we consider the most effective approach to be the promotion of the broad range of precautions necessary for sun protection, not just sun care products, for example, through Government support for Cancer Research UK's SunSmart skin cancer advice and awareness raising campaign.

VAT: Sunscreens

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on proposals to reduce the rate of value added tax for suncare products; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials receive representations from a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families claiming tax credits in 2006-07 experienced an income increase of between  (a) 2,500 and 5,000,  (b) 5,001 and 7,500,  (c) 7,501 and 10,000,  (d) 10,001 and 15,000 and  (e) 15,001 and 25,000.

Stephen Timms: The following table shows the average number of families who were claiming tax credits in 2006-07, split by income rise in each specified band.
	
		
			  Income increase bands for 2006-07 finalised awards 
			  Income rise bandings (2005-06 to 2006-07)  Number of awards ( T housand) 
			 Between 2,500 and 5,000 460.2 
			 Between 5,001 and 7,500 239.7 
			 Between 7,501 and 10,000 140.3 
			 Between 10,001 and 15,000 139.8 
			 Between 15,001 and 25,000 82.2 
			 All 1,062.2 
		
	
	The income rise has been derived from the 2005-06 and 2006-07 incomes which were used to finalise the awards.

Welfare Tax Credits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the documentation relating to the Tax Credit Transformation Programme.

Stephen Timms: Information on the programme has been published in a number of documents and reports, including:
	Tax Credits: Improving delivery and choicea discussion paper (May 2008)
	Budget 2008 (March 2008)
	HMRC Departmental Report 2008 (July 2008)
	HMRC Autumn Performance Report 2008 (December 2008)
	These documents can be found on HM Treasury and HMRC websites.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Age: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the average age of  (a) men and  (b) women resident in (i) Hemel Hempstead and (ii) Hertfordshire was at the latest date for which information is available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question on what the average age of (a) men and (b) women resident in (i) Hemel Hempstead and (ii) Hertfordshire was at the latest date for which information is available. (249064)
	The median age of the resident male and female population in both Hemel Hempstead and Hertfordshire was 38 years and 40 years respectively. Data for Hemel Hempstead are based on mid-2006 population estimates by parliamentary constituency. Data for Hertfordshire are based on mid-2007 population estimates. These estimates are the latest available.

Death: Carbon Monoxide

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many recorded deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning have occurred in  (a) owner- occupied residences,  (b) accommodation let from a private landlord,  (c) accommodation let from a letting agent,  (d) social housing,  (e) care or sheltered housing and  (f) independent halls or hostels in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply .
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many recorded deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning have occurred in (a) owner-occupied residences, (b) accommodation let from a private landlord, (c) accommodation let from a letting agent, (d) social housing, (e) care or sheltered housing and (f) independent halls or hostels in each of the last five years. (248846)
	The attached table provides the number of deaths where the toxic effect of carbon monoxide was the cause of death, in England and Wales, from 2003 to 2007 (the latest year available). Death statistics are collated from information recorded at death registration. Although the place of usual residence of the deceased and the place of death are recorded, tenancy arrangements are not, so it is not possible to provide figures by the breakdown requested.
	
		
			  Table 1. Number of deaths with a cause of carbon monoxide poisoning( 1) , England and Wales( 2) , 2003 to 2007( 3) 
			  Deaths (persons) 
			   England and Wales 
			 2003 386 
			 2004 374 
			 2005 263 
			 2006 261 
			 2007 251 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code T58. (2 )Figures include deaths of non-residents. (3 )Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.

Death: Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many children have died in Doncaster in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many children have died in Doncaster in each of the last five years. (248779)
	The table attached provides the number of deaths of children under 16 years of age in Doncaster metropolitan district, from 2003 to 2007 (the latest year available).
	
		
			  Table 1. Number of deaths of children( 1) , Doncaster metropolitan district( 2)  2003-07( 3) 
			  Deaths (children) 
			   Doncaster 
			 2003 32 
			 2004 24 
			 2005 32 
			 2006 30 
			 2007 34 
			 (1) Children are defined as persons under 16 years of age. (2) Based on boundaries as of 2008. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year.

Employment

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) jobs,  (b) private sector jobs and  (c) public sector jobs there were in the UK in each year since 1979.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many (a) jobs, (b) private sector jobs and (c) public sector jobs there were in the UK in each year since 1979. (246807)
	Statistics on jobs in the private and public sectors are not available. The closest measure available is employment. These figures will therefore exclude any vacancies.
	The Office for National Statistics produces employment statistics for the UK from the Labour Force Survey (published monthly), and for the public sector through the quarterly Public Sector Employment surveys. A consistent time series is only available back to 1992 and the available information is provided at Annex A.
	
		
			  Annex A: Public and Private Sector Employment( 1) 
			  United Kingdom, Thousands, Seasonally Adjusted, Headcount 
			   Public Sector( 2,3,4)  Private Sector( 5)  Total Employment( 6) 
			   Thousand  Percentage  Thousand  Percentage  Thousand 
			 1992 5,909 23 19,623 77 25,535 
			 1993 5,598 22 19,685 78 25,288 
			 1994 5,435 21 20,073 79 25,511 
			 1995 5,372 21 20,415 79 25,788 
			 1996 5,273 20 20,731 80 26,005 
			 1997 5,179 20 21,313 81 26,494 
			 1998 5,168 19 21,608 81 26,771 
			 1999 5,190 19 21,926 81 27,116 
			 2000 5,270 19 22,259 81 27,529 
			 2001 5,363 19 22,338 81 27,701 
			 2002 5,471 20 22,416 80 27,887 
			 2003 5,627 20 22,574 80 28,201 
			 2004 5,745 20 22,679 80 28,424 
			 2005 5,845 20 22,936 80 28,781 
			 2006 5,811 20 23,218 80 29,029 
			 2007 5,766 20 23,433 80 29,199 
			 2008 5,750 20 23,741 81 29,491 
			 (1) Annual figures relate to June (Q2). (2) Estimates derived from public sector organisations. (3) Estimates for Northern Ireland included in the UK total are sourced from the Quarterly Employment Survey and are based on jobs rather than employees. (4 )Estimates from December 2007 are based partly on projections. (5) Estimated as the difference between total employment and the public sector employment estimates. (6) Labour Force Survey employment; all aged 16 and over.  Source: Labour Force Survey and returns from public sector organisations

Unemployment

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people in  (a) North Yorkshire and  (b) England were unemployed in each year since 1993.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated January 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people living in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) England were unemployed in each year since 1993. (247594)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) and its predecessor, the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS), following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	Table 1 shows the number of people aged 16+, resident in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) England, who were unemployed in each year. The estimates for England have also been compiled from the APS to be consistent with those for North Yorkshire and will therefore differ from the unemployment figures published in the Labour Market First Release.
	Estimates are provided for the 12 months ending in February from 1995 to 2004 from the annual LFS, and for the 12 months ending in March from 2005 to 2008 as well as June 2008, from the APS. Figures for earlier years are not available. The July 2007 to June 2008 APS dataset is the most recent for which figures are available, whereas a consistent time series is best provided using periods ending in February or March.
	As the estimates for North Yorkshire are for a subset of the population in a relatively small geographical area, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of persons unemployed( 1)  resident in England and North Yorkshire 
			  Thousand 
			  12 months ending  England  North Yorkshire 
			 February 1995 2,160 15 
			 February 1996 2,002 18 
			 February 1997 1,833 14 
			 February 1998 1,580 14 
			 February 1999 1,413 13 
			 February 2000 1,388 13 
			 February 2001 1,237 10 
			 February 2002 1,181 7 
			 February 2003 1,234 9 
			 February 2004 1,207 8 
			 March 2005 1,175 7 
			 March 2006 1,278 9 
			 March 2007 1,378 11 
			 March 2008 1,356 8 
			 June 2008(2) *1,366 ****9 
			 (1) Levels of unemployment are provided for persons aged 16 and over. The figures presented are weighted to population estimates published in 2007. (2 )Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See guide to quality as follows.  Guide to Quality:  The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical robustness  * 0 [le] CV 5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 [le] CV 10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 [le] CV 20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV [le] 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Source:  Annual Labour Force Survey  Annual Population Survey

JUSTICE

Antisocial Behaviour: Fixed Penalties

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2008,  Official Report, column 844W, on anti-social behaviour: fixed penalties, how many penalty notices for disorder have been  (a) issued and  (b) not paid for each type of offence in each of the last four years.

Maria Eagle: The number of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs) issued and not paid within the suspended enforcement period in England and Wales for each year from 2004 to 2007 (latest published), broken down by offence are in the following table.
	Under the PND Scheme, recipients have 21 days in which either to pay the penalty or request a court hearing. If no action is taken, a fine of one and a half times the penalty amount is registered against an offender by the magistrates court. The overall fine payment rate at court is 87 per cent.; the courts fine registration system cannot differentiate between those fines arising from unpaid PNDs and any other fine.
	
		
			  Number of penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) issued to offenders of all ages and not paid( 1) , broken down by offence, in England and Wales, 2004 - 07( 2) 
			   2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Offence  Issued  Not paid  Issued  Not paid  Issued  Not paid  Issued  Not paid 
			 Wasting police time 1,171 659 2,525 1,326 3,933 2,022 3,966 2,104 
			 Misuse of public telecommunications system 117 65 405 167 909 386 1,193 523 
			 Giving false alarm to fire or rescue authority 44 26 92 43 106 63 96 41 
			 Causing harassment, alarm and distress 28,790 14,484 64,007 30,092 82,235 39,115 77,827 37,470 
			 Throwing fireworks 177 88 642 295 682 302 649 275 
			 Drunk and disorderly 26,609 11,682 37,038 16,176 43,556 18,883 46,996 20,629 
			 Criminal Damage (under 500) 1,190 509 12,168 5,172 20,620 9,269 19,946 8,874 
			 Theft (retail under 200) 2,072 1,202 21,997 12,940 38,772 22,603 45,146 26,035 
			 Breach of fireworks curfew 12 2 33 15 53 19 39 14 
			 Possession of category 4 firework 12 7 13 8 28 16 22 12 
			 Possession of adult firework by person under 18 20 10 47 18 76 25 106 39 
			 Sale of alcohol to drunken person   32 8 47 12 81 17 
			 Supply of alcohol to person under 18   3 1 60 7 54 13 
			 Sale of alcohol to person under 18 113 39 2,058 253 3,195 439 3,583 509 
			 Purchase alcohol for person under 18 84 29 170 64 407 139 555 235 
			 Purchase alcohol for person under 18 for consumption on premises   83 24 60 21 64 33 
			 Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery 20 11 209 81 297 121 431 163 
			 Trespass on a railway 96 48 220 123 1,042 491 1,527 747 
			 Throwing stones at a train/railway 66 31 20 7 15 9 25 12 
			 Drunk in a highway 2,497 1,264 3,138 1,469 2,712 1,279 2,066 920 
			 Consumption of alcohol in public place 485 372 712 544 1,061 809 1,544 1,216 
			 Littering 51 26 737 369 1,169 576 1,374 669 
			 Consumption of alcohol by person under 18 on relevant premises 7 4 84 18 75 20 85 18 
			 Allowing consumption of alcohol by person under 18 on relevant premises 6 3 27 13 14 4 11 2 
			 Buying or attempting to buy alcohol by person under 18   21 8 73 21 158 49 
			 Totalall offences 63,639 30,561 146,481 69,234 201,197 96,651 207,544 100,619 
			 (1) Not paid = not paid within the suspended enforcement period. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Approved Premises: Harwich

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many new bail hostels are planned to be built in Harwich constituency.

David Hanson: I do not intend to provide any new bail hostels in Harwich constituency.
	If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the accommodation and support service for bail and Home Detention Curfew provided by ClearSprings, none is currently planned for Harwich constituency.

Bail Accommodation and Support Service: Cheshire

Edward Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many ClearSprings bail hostels have been  (a) planned and  (b) approved in Crewe and Nantwich constituency.

David Hanson: The hon. Gentleman is incorrect in referring to the ClearSprings' addresses as bail hostels. They are leased private properties. Two properties were planned and were brought into use in Crewe; these have subsequently closed and one new property will be sourced.

Bail Accommodation and Support Service: East Midlands

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in which local government wards in Leicester, Leicestershire, Northampton, Northamptonshire and Peterborough there is accommodation provided by the ClearSprings Bail Accommodation and Support Service; and how many such premises there are in each such ward.

David Hanson: There is one property in each of the wards listed as follows:
	 Leicestershire (all in Leicester)
	Beaumont Leys
	Fosse
	Freeman
	Westcotes
	 Northamptonshire (all in Northampton)
	St. James
	Abingdon
	Kingsley
	Thorplands
	 Peterborough
	Orton Longueville
	Orton Waterville
	Paston.

Bribery Bill: Draft

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the proposed date of publication of the Bribery Bill is.

Maria Eagle: The Government intend to publish a draft Bribery Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny this Session. No firm decision has been made regarding the publication date.

Bronzefield Prison

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) escapes,  (b) attempted escapes and  (c) assaults on staff there have been at HM Prison Bronzefield in each year since it opened.

David Hanson: There have been no escapes or attempted escapes at Bronzefield since it opened.
	The table shows incidents of prisoner on staff assaults in Bronzefield in each of the last years since 2004.
	The information is set out in the table and is subject to important qualifications. The NOMS Incident Reporting System processes high volumes of data which are constantly being updated. The numbers provide an indication of overall numbers but should not be interpreted as absolute.
	Assault information is recorded at establishment level in four categories: Prisoner on Prisoner, Prisoner on Officer, Prisoner on Other and Other (which may include non-prisoner perpetrators e.g. visitors). The recorded incidents of assaults on prison officers are not completely exclusive to officers; establishment recording sometimes includes assaults on other prison staff in this category. Rises or falls in reported numbers from one year to the next are not a good indicator of an underlying trend for a particular prison.
	The numbers supplied refer to the number of individual assault incidents. The numbers refer to all incidents recorded as assaults; these may also include threatening behaviour, projection of bodily fluids and other non-contact events and allegations.
	Ministers, NOMS and the Prison Officers' Association are collectively committed to ensuring that violence in prisons is not tolerated in any form. Since 2004, a national strategy has directed every public sector prison to have in place a local violence reduction strategy and since mid 2007 this has been applied to the public and contracted out estate. A whole prison approach is encouraged, engaging all staff, all disciplines and prisoners in challenging unacceptable behaviour, problem-solving and personal safety.
	
		
			  Bronzefield prison 
			  Classification  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Prisoner on officer 17 85 77 41 80 
			 Prisoner on other 3 2 4 2 8 
			 Other 2 3 1 1 3 
			  Note: Bronzefield opened in 2004 which is why the numbers for this year are lower than subsequent years.

Crime: Compensation

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in what schemes operated by or on behalf of his Department other than the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority the decisions of one officer are reviewed by an officer at the same level as the one who made the original decision.

Shahid Malik: In addition to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for the two legal aid schemes which are administered by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). These are the Community Legal Service (CLS) and the Criminal Defence Service (CDS).
	For decisions about CLS legal aid funding, it is usual practice for LSC caseworkers to review previous decisions of LSC caseworkers at the same level initially, and then escalate if the dispute or issue has not been resolved, or if the more formal review mechanisms provided for in provider contracts or regulations apply.
	Decisions about CDS legal aid funding for magistrates courts cases conducted on the basis of means are made by court staff. Applicants can ask for a review on the basis that his or her financial circumstances have changed, or that they believe an administrative error has occurred. These reviews are conducted by the same level of staff as applicants are effectively reapplying but with new or different information. Applicants can also ask for a review on the grounds of hardship, either before or after the formal means assessment. Decisions about hardship reviews are made by LSC staff of the same level as the court staff who made the original decision about funding.
	I am not aware of any other schemes run by or on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, where original decisions are subsequently reviewed by an officer at the same level.

Custodial Sentences: Offensive Weapons

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people received a custodial sentence for carrying a weapon or a blade in each year from 2004 to 2007.

Jack Straw: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	The figures cannot be compared with the figures being used to monitor the Tackling Knife Crime Action Programme (TKAP) because they use different data sources and counting rules. The following figures are based on counts of offenders from the court proceedings database. The TKAP figures are based on counts of offences from the PNC database which provides more timely monitoring information.
	
		
			  Number of persons sentenced to immediate custody for possessing a knife or offensive weapon( 1) , 2004 - 07 
			   2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Persons sentenced to immediate custody 1,636 1,802 1,866 1,918 
			 Persons given suspended sentence(2) 45 242 1,087 1,210 
			 (1) Offences of: possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, possession of offensive weapons on school premises without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, having an article with a blade or point on school premises and having an article with a blade or point in a public place. (2) The suspended sentence order was introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 for offences committed on or after 4 April 2005. Some of those sentenced in 2005 would have been given the old style fully suspended sentence, however, for ease of interpretation, all suspended sentences have been shown together  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints about advertisements sponsored or funded by his Department were made to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in each year from 1997 to 2008; and how many of these were upheld by the ASA in each year.

Shahid Malik: The Ministry of Justice was created in May 2007 and since then my Department has not had a complaint made about its advertising. There were no complaints made or upheld against advertising conducted by the Department when it was the Department for Constitutional Affairs or the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy that temporary and permanent employees of his Department employed at the same grade receive the same hourly rate of pay.

Michael Wills: All staff employed directly by the core Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service are subject to the same arrangements for pay irrespective of whether they are temporary (i.e. fixed term) employees or permanent staff.
	Where they exist, differences in hourly pay rates for individuals within the same grade are for reasons other than whether the member of staff is fixed term or permanent. Such differences may be the position within the pay band or geographical location. Following machinery of government changes, there are small numbers of staff within the Ministry employed on their former employers' terms and conditions and who opted to retain their legacy pay arrangements. These staff therefore have an hourly rate of pay determined by those legacy terms.
	Hourly rates paid to the staff engaged through temporary staffing agencies is determined between the agency and the individual. When Parliament has decided the implementation date of the Agency Workers Directive, guidance on the terms will be reviewed with suppliers.

Departmental Procurement

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East of 27 October 2008,  Official Report, column 744W, on departmental procurement, if he will place in the Library a list of names and addresses of the payees.

Shahid Malik: The previous answer identified that the payee supplier database held approximately 144,000 records. It contains the details of a large number of individuals and these payees cannot easily be separated. It is not possible at this time to deposit this information in the Library of the House of Commons, without including details of individuals. Creating an IT solution to eliminate individuals data and sensitive data could not be completed without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Procurement

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of invoices for goods and services procured from small and medium-sized businesses were paid within 10 days of receipt by  (a) his Department and  (b) the agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Until October 2008 the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and its agencies was required to monitor and publish payment performance against a 30-day payment target and does not therefore currently publish information about payment within ten days. However, following my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's commitment of 8 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 268-69, that central Government Departments will make payment within 10 days, we will additionally report ten day payment performance from the period January to March 2009.
	MOJ and its agencies do not currently publish information about size of suppliers. We do not discriminate by size because many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.

Fixed Penalties

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were in prison in England and Wales for non-payment of fixed penalty notices on  (a) 1 April 2006,  (b) 1 April 2007 and  (c) 1 April 2008.

Jack Straw: Where recipients of some fixed penalty notices neither pay the penalty nor request a court hearing a fine is registered against them and enforced as any other fine. The number of these fines which result in committal to prison for fine default is not separately recorded. The number of all fine defaulters detained in all prison establishments in England and Wales at the end of March in each of the years 2006 and 2008 is given in the following table:
	
		
			  As at 31 March each year  Number 
			 2006 102 
			 2007 83 
			 2008 88 
		
	
	This information can also be found in the following website, which is updated monthly:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm
	The figures provided have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Magistrates

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many sitting magistrates are currently serving;
	(2)  what steps are being taken to encourage  (a) members of ethnic minorities and  (b) women to apply to become magistrates.

Jack Straw: There are currently 29,505 magistrates serving in England and Wales.
	The Government are committed to a magistracy that is reflective of the diverse communities it serves. Local advisory committees, who recruit and select magistrates, are required to target recruitment at under-represented groups in their areas. My Department has also provided substantial funding to specific awareness raising initiatives such as Operation Black Vote's Magistrates Shadowing Scheme.
	There has been a slight increase in the proportion of black minority ethnic (BME) magistrates in recent years (now 7.3 per cent.). Of the 1,899 magistrates appointed in 2008, just over 10 per cent. were from BME backgrounds. There are now more female than male magistrates (now 51.2 per cent.).

Magistrates Courts: Lyndhurst

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the future of Lyndhurst magistrates court.

Bridget Prentice: As part of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), HMCS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (HMCS HIOW) have to make efficiency savings over the next three years. No decisions have yet been made but there is a proposal to close Lyndhurst magistrates court temporarily and move its work to Southampton magistrates court, a modern purpose-built courthouse with courtroom capacity for the workload of Lyndhurst. Stakeholders will be consulted before any final decisions are made.

Magistrates Courts: Lyndhurst

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what account he will take in determining the future of Lyndhurst magistrates court of  (a) the assurances given to residents of Totton, the Waterside and the New Forest that the previous closure of the court facilities in Totton was being compensated for by new facilities in Lyndhurst and  (b) expenditure on new court facilities in Lyndhurst when the court in Totton was closed; and what effect on the (i) workload of and (ii) waiting times for courts in Southampton would result from the closure of Lyndhurst Magistrates' Court.

Bridget Prentice: A decision was taken in 1993 by the then Magistrates Courts Committee to close the five existing magistrates court facilities in the New Forest and replace these with a new facility at Lyndhurst. Any decision to close the magistrates court at Lyndhurst temporarily will take into account the needs of those who live and work in the New Forest area and their ability to access justice.
	The cost of converting the police station building in Lyndhurst to a courthouse was 800,000. Southampton magistrates court currently has three courtrooms which are not used daily.
	The workload of Lyndhurst can be easily accommodated in Southampton without any adverse impact and this would have no impact on waiting times.

Magistrates Courts: Welsh Language

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the Libra computer system will be able to provide magistrates court summonses in Welsh; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: When the bilingual version of the new Libra IT system is introduced in Wales in September 2009, magistrates court summonses will be produced in Welsh as a matter of course. Until September 2009 summonses can be translated upon request within one working day.

National Offender Management Service

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what meetings staff of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) have held with ( a) the National Association of Probation Officers and  (b) the Prison Officers' Association to discuss NOMS resources for (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Jack Straw: NOMS officials meet with NAPO officers and officials on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of Probation Service issues. Several recent meetings have included the subject of NOMS resources for (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. In particular the chief operating officer briefed the trade unions, including NAPO, on budgets in November and the director general and chief operating officer met and discussed budgetary issues with NAPO full-time officials last week.
	The NOMS Management Board meet on a quarterly basis with the POA NEC to discuss all matters relating to the operational management of the Prison Service and staff. The director general informs the POA NEC of any issues in relation to resources, during the course of the meeting. Issues are then subsequently discussed. There have been no specific meetings to discuss NOMS resourcing.

National Offender Management Service: Manpower

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff with  (a) a probation background and  (b) a prison background are currently employed in the National Offender Management Service at (i) Grade 7, (ii) Grade 6 and (iii) above Grade 6.

Shahid Malik: Information on the number of staff working within the Prison Service and National Offender Management Service headquarters in grades equivalent to grade 7, grade 6 and above grade 6, who have operational prison experience, is contained in the following table.
	
		
			  Prison Service and NOMS HQ staff with operational experience, as at 30 November 2008 
			  Equivalent  With operational experience  Total staff 
			 Above grade 6 18 71 
			 Grade 6 109 194 
			 Grade 7 266 744 
			 Total 393 1,009 
		
	
	The Probation Service does not collect information centrally on career histories. It is therefore not possible to provide figures of staff currently employed in senior roles who have progressed to that position from within the Probation Service.

National Probation Service for England and Wales: Greater Manchester

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of Probation Service staff expected to leave Greater Manchester probation area as a result of  (a) natural wastage,  (b) retirement and  (c) redundancy in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) and 2011-12;
	(2)  what estimated share of national Probation Service savings the Greater Manchester probation area is expected to achieve in  (a) 2009-10,  (b) 2010-11 and  (c) 2011-12;
	(3)  what the forecast reduction in previously planned expenditure is for the Greater Manchester probation area in  (a) 2009-10,  (b) 2010-11 and  (c) 2011-12;
	(4)  what the flat cash grant allocation for the Greater Manchester probation area is for  (a) 2009-10,  (b) 2010-11 and  (c) 2011-12.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice is seeking efficiency savings over the next three years as set out in the Department's annual report for 2007-08. As is the case across Government, the Probation Service will need to make efficiency savings.
	The NOMS agency is providing guidance that will help achieve the savings by simplifying processes and reducing administration overheads but ultimately, staffing projections and decisions on the size and scope of any-staffing reductions will rest with the 42 areas and trusts who manage probation business at the local level.
	The Greater Manchester probation area is expected to achieve approximately 5.2 per cent. of national efficiency savings required from the Probation Service. No efficiency savings expectations have yet been set for probation areas and trusts for 2010-11 or 2011-12.
	Although some areas of the budget have yet to be finalised, the current indicative budget allocation for the Greater Manchester probation area for 2009-10 is approximately 51.1 million compared to 52.6 million in 2008-09. The difference of 1.5 million consists of 0.3 million training provision not yet allocated due to a full review of Probation Officer training currently underway and efficiency savings of 1.2 million. No indicative budgets or efficiency savings expectations have yet been set for probation areas and trusts for 2010-11 or 2011-12.
	The efficiency savings requirement for 2009-10 for the Greater Manchester probation area is in line with the national efficiency savings programme for the Probation Service and the NOMS Agency. The NOMS Agency is working to determine how the saving can be achieved in ways that protect front line services.

Parc Prison

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners there are in HM Prison Parc.

David Hanson: At the end of November 2008, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 1,199 prisoners detained in Parc prison.
	This information is available at the following website, which is updated monthly:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm
	This figure has been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Parc Young Offender Institution: Mental Health Services

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on provision of mental health in-reach services at Parc Young Offender Institution.

David Hanson: This is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government and ongoing liaison takes place about the provision of mental health in-reach services at Parc Young Offenders Institution. The latest information is that the Local Health Board has submitted a draft business case for provision of Tier 2/3 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to the Welsh Assembly Government and it is now under consideration.

Prisoners Transfers: Wales

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many transfers of prisoners  (a) from prisons in Wales to prisons in England and  (b) from prisons in England to prisons in Wales took place in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

David Hanson: This information is not kept. To obtain this information would require a manual search through individual records for the past three years at a disproportionate cost.

Prisoners: Compensation

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2008,  Official Report, column 1023W, on prisoners: compensation, how many prisoners have instigated legal proceedings against his Department or its agencies under the Human Rights Act 1998 since the Act came into force.

Jack Straw: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Many prisoners instigate legal proceedings, of these a proportion include reference to alleged breaches of human rights. In some cases the claim will be brought wholly on a Human Rights Act (HRA) basis and in others an HRA basis of claim will be one of a number of alleged grounds of claim. Whether HRA is relied upon entirely, or in part, or not at all legal proceedings, is to a considerable extent a choice of approach on the part of the claimant's lawyers as there is a considerable overlap between pre-existing domestic law rights and human rights.

Prisoners: Wales

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners ordinarily not resident in Wales are in prisons in Wales.

David Hanson: Latest available data from September 2008 shows there were 433 prisoners held in prisons in Wales with a home address outside Wales.
	Where no home address is listed for a prisoner the committal court is used as a proxy address.

Prisoners: Young People

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of people under the age of 18 were being held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years.

David Hanson: Information on the numbers of juveniles aged under 18 detained under sentence showing also their percentage of the prison population of England and Wales is contained in the following table.
	
		
			   1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			  Males  and f emales   
			 All ages 51,392 53,180 54,212 57,306 59,439 60,976 62,257 63,493 65,601 68,234 
			 15-17 1,710 1,851 1,965 2,089 1,781 1,763 1,836 1,865 1,883 1,932 
			 As percentage of prison population 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 
			  Notes: 1. 1999-07 taken from 7.3 in Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2007. 2. 2008 taken from monthly published table for June 2008 
		
	
	The prison service does not normally accommodate 15 and 16 year old girls, only 17 year old girls.
	This table is taken from table 7.3 in the Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2007, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library and which can also be found at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
	The figure for June 2008 was taken from the monthly briefing published at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm
	This website is updated monthly.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisons

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress has been made in his plans to build new prisons.

Jack Straw: The Capacity Programme will deliver a total of 20,000 new places by 2014 through a number of new prisons, expansions at existing prisons, and more efficient use of the estate. To date, we have delivered over 4,200 places including a new prison, HMP Kennet (Merseyside), which became operational in June 2007.
	Planning permission has been approved for new prisons at Belmarsh West (London), Belmarsh East (London; to be located within the existing Belmarsh boundary) and Maghull (Merseyside). Planning permission is currently being sought for new prisons at Featherstone (Wolverhampton), Littlehey (Cambridgeshire; to be located within the existing Littlehey boundary), and for the conversion of former RAF accommodation to a prison at Coltishall (Norfolk). We also plan to submit planning permission for a new YOI at Glen Parva (Leicestershire; to be located within the existing YOI boundary) later this year.
	We will be publishing our response to the Prison Clusters (formerly known as Titans) consultation exercise by the end of this financial year. This response will set out more details on how we plan to develop these prisons.

Prisons: Wales

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to announce the site of a new prison in Wales.

David Hanson: We expect to make an announcement in early 2009.

Probation

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the projected Probation Service caseload is for  (a) 2009-10 and  (b) 2010-11.

David Hanson: No projections of probation caseload are available.
	However, projections for the number of order and licence starts have been made. These are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Projected community demand (starts) 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 
			   Community Order and suspended sentence order  Licence supervision 
			 2009-10 203,400 47,600 
			 2001-11 209,500 49,000

Probation Service for England and Wales: Manpower

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many probation posts he estimates will be lost as a result of the budget cuts anticipated during  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10,  (c) 2010-11 and  (d) 2011-12.

Maria Eagle: Budgets for later years are not yet agreed but funding plans for 2009-10 require efficiency savings from operational budgets in probation of 2.2 per cent. This is in the context of a 70 per cent. real terms increase in probation funding over the last 10 years.
	The NOMS agency is providing guidance that will help achieve savings first by simplifying process and reducing administration but ultimately, the size and scope of any staffing reductions will rest with the 42 areas and trusts who manage probation business at the local level.

Probation: Recruitment

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many probation staff who have been fully qualified outside the Probation Service are planned to be recruited in  (a) 2009-10 and  (b) 2010-11.

David Hanson: The 42 probation boards and trusts within the National Probation Service function as separate employers and work force planning takes place at local level. Decisions about the timing and profile of staff requirements are therefore a matter for local employers and take into account of local resources.

Probation: Recruitment

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many trainee probation officers are planned to be recruited in each month of  (a) 2009 and  (b) 2010.

David Hanson: Trainee probation officers are not recruited on a monthly basis. The last intake of trainee probation officers was in October 2008. There are currently 550 due to complete training this year and 300 in 2010.

Probation: Training

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what staff at each grade are responsible for the design and delivery of future probation training; and what the length and nature of their direct experience of probation services is in each case.

David Hanson: The responsibility for the design and delivery of future probation training rests with the Project Board, supported by a project team and Reference Group. All three groups include probation representatives at chief officer level and other members with substantial probation practitioner experience.

Probation: Training

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the budget is for the training of probation staff in each month of  (a) 2009-10 and  (b) 2010-11.

David Hanson: The budget for training probation staff in the first six months of 2009-10 will be 2,916,674 each month. This figure includes the salary and university costs associated with training a Trainee Probation Officer (TPO) plus the costs allocated centrally for training Probation Service Officers (PSO). It is not possible to calculate the likely costs for 2010-11 at this time.

Probation: Training

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the future training of probation staff; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The current qualification arrangements for probation staff are under review with the intention of introducing a new framework later this year. These proposals will be subject to formal consultation. Training for probation staff is a high priority and this will be reflected in the new requirements.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many new schools he estimates will be opened by March  (a) 2009,  (b) 2010,  (c) 2011 and  (d) 2012 through the (i) Building Schools for the Future programme, (ii) Further Education programme and (ii) Primary Education programme; and how these estimates differ from those made before the announcement of capital spending being brought forward made in the pre-Budget report.

Jim Knight: Our current predictions go as far as 2010-11 in line with the current Spending Review.
	50 schools have now opened through BSF. Our current predictions suggest that 112 BSF schools will open in 2009-10 and 165 schools in 2010-11.
	In addition to these, through the Learning and Skills Council's capital programme, current predictions are that a further eight new school sixth forms are due to complete this year, 15 in 2009-10, and a further eight in 2010-11.
	Management of the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) is largely delegated to local authorities, but we have derived estimates from authorities' plans, as follows:
	
		
			  PCP  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11  Total 
			 New Schools 3 16 15 34 
			 New Rebuilt Schools 12 62 93 167 
			 Total 15 78 108 201 
		
	
	The capital spend that is being brought forward from 2010-11 to 2009-10 relates to local authority devolved capital funding. It has no effect on Building Schools for the Future or on schools sixth forms. The returns received from local authorities so far indicate that the funding brought forward will be used to improve and extend existing schools at an earlier date than previously possible, rather than to build new schools which would take longer to procure. In some authorities, some of the primary programme capital expenditure may also be brought forward, but we do not expect that to affect the number of new schools built.

Children: Protection

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government has taken to protect children in schools from abuse in the last 12 months.

Beverley Hughes: The Government are committed to improving safeguards for children and have taken a range of actions over the past year. This includes making significant progress towards the implementation of the new vetting and barring scheme, which will further strengthen the system for preventing unsuitable adults from working with children, including in schools. In October 2008 Sir Roger Singleton, chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority, was asked to lead a review of safeguarding arrangements in independent school, non-maintained special schools and boarding schools. The review will examine the practical operation of the current statutory and non-statutory safeguarding arrangements that apply to independent schools, non-maintained special schools and boarding schools in the maintained, non-maintained and independent sectors in England. Sir Roger expects to conclude his work in February 2009.
	In April 2008, Ministers wrote to local authorities and schools to remind them of their responsibilities in relation to the issue of forced marriage and of the materials and guidance already available. In June new materials on forced marriage were launched specifically for schools and for young people. These were sent to all secondary schools, pupil referral units, local authorities and Local Safeguarding Children Boards. New statutory guidance on forced marriage was launched on 25 November.
	Within schools, staff have powers to bar people from their premises if they consider them a threat or a nuisance. The DCSF, in addition, has an ongoing programme of work to prevent and tackle the bullying of children. This includes a suite of overarching and specialist guidance for schools under the title Safe To Learn which advises schools on preventing and tackling bullying related to race, religion, special educational needs, disability, homophobia and cyberbullying. New guidance on out-of-school bullying is to be launched in February 2009. The Department is also funding the Anti-Bullying Alliance and National Strategies to ensure this work is embedded in schools effectively.

Children's Centres: Standards

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what progress has been made in the project to look at benchmarking systems already in use in local authorities and children's centres and to judge the feasibility of a system for Sure Start Children's Centres along the lines of the system used in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Local authorities have a range of different benchmarking systems. Hedra Ltd. were commissioned in August 2008 to undertake a feasibility study looking at the potential for designing a national benchmarking system for Sure Start Children's Centres, similar to that introduced for schools. They are currently finalising their report which will be published shortly.

Education: Assessments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the revised rules on skills tests under the Education (Specified Work and Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 have been implemented.

Jim Knight: The rules specified in the Education (Specified Work and Registration) (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended in 2007) are in force. It is the responsibility of employers to check the qualifications of teachers to ensure that they can work lawfully in a maintained school or non-maintained special school. As a result of 2007 amendments, from 1 September 2008 those who have completed initial teacher training but have not been awarded qualified teacher status, because they have not passed all the skills tests, cannot lawfully be employed as teachers.

Forced Marriage: Research

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what tendering process was undertaken by his Department before contracting the National Centre for Social Research to conduct research on forced marriage; which organisations were  (a) informed of and  (b) invited to tender for the contract; and what the (i) cost, (ii) timetable and (iii) terms of reference of the research are.

Beverley Hughes: This research was commissioned through a fair and open procurement process in line with the Department's protocols and in consultation with the Forced Marriage Unit.
	 (a) Expressions of interest to conduct the research were invited through notification on the Department's research website www.dcsf.gov.uk/research placed on 1 October 2008 with a closing date of 20 October.
	 (b) Expressions of interest were received from 13 organisations and these were then assessed by DSCF officials against published criteria. As a result, six of these 13 organisations were invited to submit full tenders (with a closing date of 18 November).
	The organisations chosen to submit full tenders were:
	Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion in partnership with the Henna Foundation and the Family and Parenting Institute
	Ethnos Research and Consultancy
	Centre for Rights, Equalities and Justice at the Institute of Education, University of London
	National Centre for Social Research in partnership with Dr. Nazia Khanum

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 19 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 635-36W, on general certificate of secondary education, which qualifications other than GCSEs were included as equivalents.

Jim Knight: All level 2 qualifications approved under section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act (2000) contribute towards the reported performance at key stage 4.
	Some of the most prevalent qualifications at each level of study are given as follows:
	GCSE in Vocational Subjects
	GNVQs
	Entry Level Qualifications
	VRQ
	Key Skills
	NVQ
	Basic Skills
	BTEC First Diploma
	BTEC First Certificate
	FSMQs
	AS Level
	Vocational AS Level
	For a more exhaustive list of equivalent qualifications and the size of their contributions can be found at QCA's National Database of Accredited Qualifications website at:
	http://www.ndaq.org.uk

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when the 2008 GCSE results for secondary schools will be published.

Jim Knight: The secondary school (GCSE and equivalent) achievement and attainment tables for 2007-08 were published on 15 January at 9:30 am.
	They were published at the following link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in how many schools less than 25 per cent. of pupils aged 16 achieved the equivalent of five GCSEs at grades A* to C in 2008.

Jim Knight: This information was published on Wednesday 14 January at 9:30 a.m. in the following Statistical First Release (SFR):
	DCSF: GCSE and Equivalent Results in England, 2007-08 (Revised)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000826/index.shtml
	Figures relating to GCSEs and equivalent are reported for all pupils at the end of Key Stage 4.

Head Teachers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the Future Leaders pilot; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: To build on the successes to date of the Future Leaders pilot, the Children's Plan set out our commitment to expand the programme to other urban areas. In 2009, we will extend it to the West Midlands and Merseyside and to Yorkshire and the North East in 2010. By 2011, it is expected that there will be over 500 Future Leaders in urban challenging schools across the country, working together to improve outcomes for children and lead system change.

Home Access Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the progress of the Home Access Taskforce in devising sustainable approaches towards ensuring that all pupils enjoy home access to personal technology by 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Home Access Taskforce concluded its work in June 2008 and was reported in July 2008. The report is available at:
	http://news.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=38386.
	The Government responded to the task force's recommendations on 23 September 2008 when the Prime Minister announced the provision of 300 million for a programme to support Home Access for one million learners in low income families which Becta was asked to deliver.
	Last October it was announced that the launch of local authority pilots in Oldham and Suffolk to allow the development of a detailed scheme for national rollout. They will become operational at the end of February 2009. In addition, the Department and Becta have taken action to support those learners for whom the local authority is their corporate parent.
	We have so far made available 17.8 million capital funding to 109 local authorities which will benefit over 20,000 learners over the next few months. We expect to roll the grant scheme out nationally in late 2009 and will embed the rollout of technology within a programme to support parents, schools and local authorities in understanding the benefits of having technology available at home and how to make the best use of it.

Mathematics

Andrew Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many mathematics national strategy consultants (NSCs) are employed by local authorities on  (a) permanent,  (b) annual and  (c) termly contracts; and what conditions there are in contracts of each type on publication and retention by NSCs of intellectual property rights to their work.

Jim Knight: There are 236 Primary and 173 Secondary National Strategies (NSCs) mathematics consultants nationally. As local authority employees their terms and conditions are determined locally and there are no central records of the proportion of consultants on full-time, part-time, permanent or fixed term arrangements.
	We have no information on the degree to which specific consultant contracts reference intellectual property rights, and what those terms might be. However, all of the National Strategies centrally or regionally produced materials are Crown Copyright, and are freely available to National Strategies consultants, teachers, and other practitioners. Any materials produced by local authority consultants will be subject to the terms of any intellectual property clause in their contract with the local authority.

Mathematics: Teachers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what funding his Department has provided for the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching of Mathematics in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The funding for the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching of Mathematics for 2008-09 is 4,822,854 (including VAT). The corresponding sum for 2007-08 was 4,905,613 (including VAT).

National Curriculum Tests

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what powers were  (a) requested by and  (b) granted to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in relation to the oversight of the 2009 Key Stage 2 tests; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: No such powers were requested by or granted to QCA. We are bringing forward legislation in the current Session to establish the new Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) with responsibility for the administration and oversight of national curriculum (NC) assessment. The legislation will also establish Ofqual as an independent regulator of exams and tests. The legislation will for the first time give Ofqual specific powers to regulate national curriculum tests. Ofqual will be closely monitoring and reporting on the delivery of the 2009 tests. Further information on Ofqual's monitoring of the 2009 tests is available in Ofqual's response to the Sutherland Inquiry which is available at:
	www.ofqual.gov.uk

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average funding per pupil was in each local education authority in England in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The revenue funding figures per pupil for each local authority in England, and the England average, for 2008-09, are provided in the following table. The figures are for al funded pupils aged three-19 and are provided in cash terms:
	
		
			  2008-09  DSG plus grants per pupil () 
			 England 4,690 
			 Barking and Dagenham 5,270 
			 Barnet 5,200 
			 Barnsley 4,480 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 4,430 
			 Bedfordshire 4,410 
			 Bexley 4,730 
			 Birmingham 5,240 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 5,040 
			 Blackpool 4,620 
			 Bolton 4,600 
			 Bournemouth 4,300 
			 Bracknell Forest 4,500 
			 Bradford 4,870 
			 Brent 5,700 
			 Brighton and Hove 4,660 
			 Bristol, City of 5,050 
			 Bromley 4,590 
			 Buckinghamshire 4,510 
			 Bury 4,430 
			 Calderdale 4,570 
			 Cambridgeshire 4,280 
			 Camden 6,910 
			 Cheshire 4,430 
			 Cornwall 4,340 
			 Coventry 4,790 
			 Croydon 4,910 
			 Cumbria 4,430 
			 Darlington 4,550 
			 Derby 4,660 
			 Derbyshire 4,450 
			 Devon 4,280 
			 Doncaster 4,630 
			 Dorset 4,350 
			 Dudley 4,510 
			 Durham 4,730 
			 Ealing 5,620 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 4,270 
			 East Sussex 4,560 
			 Enfield 5,100 
			 Essex 4,450 
			 Gateshead 4,740 
			 Gloucestershire 4,370 
			 Greenwich 6,260 
			 Hackney 7,250 
			 Halton 4,960 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 6,490 
			 Hampshire 4,320 
			 Haringey 5,940 
			 Harrow 5,170 
			 Hartlepool 4,830 
			 Havering 4,670 
			 Herefordshire 4,320 
			 Hertfordshire 4,500 
			 Hillingdon 4,990 
			 Hounslow 5,380 
			 Isle of Wight 4,660 
			 Islington 6,660 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 6,530 
			 Kent 4,520 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 4,870 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4,850 
			 Kirklees 4,650 
			 Knowsley 5,080 
			 Lambeth 6,780 
			 Lancashire 4,520 
			 Leeds 4,620 
			 Leicester 4,860 
			 Leicestershire 4,150 
			 Lewisham 6,330 
			 Lincolnshire 4,410 
			 Liverpool 5,140 
			 Luton 4,960 
			 Manchester 5,440 
			 Medway 4,600 
			 Merton 5,010 
			 Middlesbrough 4,960 
			 Milton Keynes 4,710 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 4,840 
			 Newham 5,970 
			 Norfolk 4,410 
			 North East Lincolnshire 4,850 
			 North Lincolnshire 4,420 
			 North Somerset 4,310 
			 North Tyneside 4,520 
			 North Yorkshire 4,440 
			 Northamptonshire 4,360 
			 Northumberland 4,400 
			 Nottingham 5,330 
			 Nottinghamshire 4,390 
			 Oldham 4,820 
			 Oxfordshire 4,410 
			 Peterborough 4,790 
			 Plymouth 4,540 
			 Poole 4,250 
			 Portsmouth 4,650 
			 Reading 4,870 
			 Redbridge 4,820 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 4,750 
			 Richmond upon Thames 4,750 
			 Rochdale 4,900 
			 Rotherham 4,730 
			 Rutland 4,400 
			 Salford 5,050 
			 Sandwell 4,890 
			 Sefton 4,590 
			 Sheffield 4,650 
			 Shropshire 4,240 
			 Slough 5,130 
			 Solihull 4,270 
			 Somerset 4,350 
			 South Gloucestershire 4,150 
			 South Tyneside 4,910 
			 Southampton 4,750 
			 Southend-on-Sea 4,620 
			 Southwark 6,650 
			 St. Helens 4,640 
			 Staffordshire 4,290 
			 Stockport 4,410 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 4,620 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 4,800 
			 Suffolk 4,320 
			 Sunderland 4,680 
			 Surrey 4,450 
			 Sutton 4,810 
			 Swindon 4,310 
			 Tameside 4,560 
			 Telford and Wrekin 4,510 
			 Thurrock 4,700 
			 Torbay 4,460 
			 Tower Hamlets 7,350 
			 Trafford 4,400 
			 Wakefield 4,550 
			 Walsall 4,700 
			 Waltham Forest 5,330 
			 Wandsworth 5,980 
			 Warrington 4,320 
			 Warwickshire 4,320 
			 West Berkshire 4,570 
			 West Sussex 4,370 
			 Westminster 6,260 
			 Wigan 4,510 
			 Wiltshire 4,250 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 4,630 
			 Wirral 4,630 
			 Wokingham 4,360 
			 Wolverhampton 4,940 
			 Worcestershire 4,300 
			 York 4,360 
			  Notes: 1. This covers funding through the Dedicated Schools Grant, School Standards Grant, School Standards Grant (Personalisation) and Standards Fund as well as funding from the Learning and Skills Council; it excludes grants which are not allocated at LA level. 2. Some of the grant allocations have not been finalised. If these do change, the effect on the funding figures is expected to be minimal. 3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Schools: Buildings

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of progress to date in regional pathfinders established under the Primary Capital programme.

Jim Knight: The Department has benefited enormously from the positive working relationship with the 23 regional pathfinders. They were particularly influential in helping to develop, test and refine the guidance we issued to local authorities in December 2007 on the requirement to develop and agree a Primary Strategy for Change. Most pathfinders have confirmed that they remain on track to complete their projects by the end of September 2009. They have also been very helpful in terms of developing and sharing good practice both nationally and regionally: the primary capital programme area of the teachernet website currently includes a range of good practice examples and case studies developed by the pathfinders. Further materials will be added over the coming weeks.
	Going forward, we will continue to work closely with pathfinders to ensure that the lessons learned in terms of design quality, sustainability and impact on outcomes informs the future development and roll out of the programme nationally.

Schools: Finance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what Supporting Schools Financial Management and Value for Money support seminars were held in 2008.

Jim Knight: The Department's Efficiency and Value for Money team held a series of interactive seminars aimed primarily at local authority education finance staff and auditors in October 2008. A total of six seminars were held; two in London and one each in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and Taunton.
	The seminars covered a wide range of Value for Money for Schools issues, including the Financial Management Standard in School (FMSiS), strategic planning, procurement, handling surplus school balances, the free consultancy advice day for schools, development of School Business Managers, and other recent issues related to improving Value for Money in schools.

Schools: Finance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families on what date the evaluation of the Financial Management standard in secondary schools was published.

Jim Knight: In April 2008 the Department commissioned Hedra to evaluate the Financial Management Standard in Schools (FMSiS) with particular reference to secondary schools. The report and recommendations were published in full on 20 October 2008 at:
	www.fmsis.info.
	The report noted the achievement of 76 per cent. of secondary schools having met the standard by 31 March 2007. The Department is now in the process of implementing the recommendations in partnership with local authorities and schools.

Schools: Standards

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the progress made under the school efficiency measurement pilots; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department has made major developments to efficiency measures over recent years and research carried out in summer 2006 indicated that the measures currently used are effective in identifying schools which achieve high levels of performance from the resources available.
	Building on these developments, the Department worked with three local authorities to pilot the use of efficiency benchmarking, thus strengthening the critical link between allocation of resources and pupil outcomes.
	In light of the pilot it was agreed that roll out of the efficiency measurement tool in its existing form would not be appropriate. Refinements to the measures and alternative ways of presenting the results will be sought before measures are used on the Schools Financial Benchmarking website.
	Good practice has been in Arizona and New York and further work to explore the benefits of these systems and to trial such measures with schools will take place over the coming year.

Schools: Standards

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many interim executive boards were established in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 2008.

Jim Knight: There were 27 Interim Executive Boards established in 2007 and 35 in 2008.

Schools: Standards

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the findings contained in Ofsted's report on schools that have successfully emerged from special measures.

Jim Knight: Ofsted published Sustaining improvement: the journey from special measures in June 2008. We want to see more schools making the transformation from special measures to become either good or outstanding schools within one or two academic years. The report shows that if schools placed in special measures are willing to face up to the need for change and take appropriate action, they can improve very quickly and become outstanding schools
	Several common themes were identified as having a significant impact including strong leadership and setting high expectations, the creation of a school identity which takes in the views of all members of the school community and sustaining improvement by using honest and accurate self assessment.
	The report recommended that the Department should ensure that schools clearly understand how any external support can contribute to school improvement and consider ways to capitalise on the experience and expertise of head teachers who have successfully made the journey from special measures to good or outstanding provision.
	In partnership with local authorities, the Department ensures that support is carefully matched to each school's requirements and the National Strategies closely monitors the impact of the support provided. Wherever possible we use the experience of successful head teachers to inform policy developments.

Science: Teachers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of project Enthuse in meeting its objectives.

Jim Knight: Project Enthuse bursaries have been available for teachers to attend continuing professional development courses at the National Science Learning Centre since October 2008. So far nearly 4,000 training days have been booked on Enthuse funded courses at the National Science Learning Centre for the academic year 2008-09.
	This builds on the previous success of the National Science Learning Centre which was highlighted in the recent evaluation of the National Network of Science Learning Centres. The evaluation found that a 94 per cent. of teachers were satisfied with the service delivered by the National Science Learning Centre. A further evaluation has been commissioned.

Secondary Education

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many secondary schools had  (a) 1,500 or more and  (b) 2,000 or more pupils in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority.

Jim Knight: The requested information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary Education: Assessments

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of mainstream maintained secondary schools inspected by Ofsted in  (a) 2008 and  (b) 2007 held end of year examinations at the end of Year 7 in (i) English, (ii) mathematics, (iii) history, (iv) geography, (v) science and (vi) French.

Jim Knight: It is for individual schools to determine what arrangements they make for assessing pupils in Year 7, and information about those arrangements is not collected or held centrally.

Social Services: Children

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children received support from children's social care in  (a) 2006 and  (b) 2007.

Beverley Hughes: Information on children receiving support from children's services is collected in the child level Children in Need (CIN) census. The latest information from the CIN census showed that there were 385,900 children in need in England in a sample week in February 2005.
	The CIN census has been redeveloped into a continuous data collection. Initial information from the new census, which started in October 2008, will be collected in summer 2009 and published towards the end of the year.

Social Services: Doncaster

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps Paul Gray has taken to improve Doncaster children's services since his appointment as Interim Director of Children's Services in April 2008.

Beverley Hughes: Paul Gray does not report directly to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. In response to the inadequate judgments in Doncaster's 2008 annual performance assessment, Doncaster was informed on 9 January 2009 that I have instructed Department for Children, Schools and Families officials to commission a review to diagnose the underlying causes of inadequate performance in Doncaster's children's services. One of the outcomes of this review will be an assessment of steps that have been taken by Paul Gray and Doncaster to improve children's services since his appointment in April 2008, the extent to which these are sustainable and embedded, and whether these are sufficient to address satisfactorily those root causes of inadequate performance.

Social Services: Doncaster

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when his officials will complete their diagnostic review of Doncaster's children's services; and whether their findings will be made public.

Beverley Hughes: In response to the inadequate judgments in Doncaster's 2008 annual performance assessment, Doncaster was informed on 9 January 2009 that Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) officials will commission a review to diagnose the underlying causes of inadequate performance in Doncaster's children's services. I expect the review to be completed by mid March 2009. The findings of the review will be made available shortly thereafter.

Social Services: Parents

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many Parent Support Advisers there are in England.

Beverley Hughes: Parent Support Advisers (PSAs) are one of a range of professionals employed by schools, local authorities or other organisations to work in and across schools to support parents and help them to engage in their child's learning. They can help tackle pupil underachievement, remove barriers to learning and provide access to a full range of learning activities for parents.
	Local authorities report that there are 2,254 PSAs (or equivalents) in post. These posts are funded through a variety of routes locally and this Government committed an additional 102.5 million between 2008 and 2011 to expand the availability of PSA support to parents.

Social Workers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the progress of the Children's Workforce Development Council in setting the baseline for developing a newly qualified status for children's social workers from September 2008; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many pilots regarding a newly qualified status for social workers have been established;
	(3)  whether the planned  (a) fast track entry and  (b) progression route for social workers has been established;
	(4)  whether the planned graduate recruitment scheme for social workers has been established;
	(5)  whether his Department has developed the proposed campaign to attract people into social work;
	(6)  whether the planned remodelling pilots in regions with the most acute social work vacancy and turnover rates have been established.

Beverley Hughes: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has asked the Children's Workforce Development Council to deliver a programme of pilots to support social workers who work with children and families. This includes the Newly Qualified Social Worker pilot programme which is now running in 86 organisations. The first cohort of Newly Qualified Social Workers started on the programme, on time, in autumn 2008. The evaluators for the programme are in place and are currently collecting baseline data from participants and their employers. The first report from the evaluators is due in spring 2009.
	The graduate recruitment scheme commenced in autumn 2008.
	The fast track route and the marketing campaign are under development.
	The Remodelling the Delivery of Social Work pilots commenced in spring 2008. The Regional Recruitment and Retention pilots in areas of the country with the most acute vacancy and turnover problems are still in development.
	In the Children and Young People's Workforce Strategy 2020, the Government announced the establishment of a joint DCSF and Department of Health (DH) Social Work Taskforce as a crucial first step in a long-term programme to reform social work. At the same time, the Government announced Moira Gibb, Chief Executive of Camden council and a former social worker, as Task Force chair, and, as deputy chairs, Andrew Webb, Director of Children's Services, Stockport; and Bob Reitemeier, Chief Executive of the Children's Society. In discussion with the taskforce chair, the Secretaries of State for DCSF and DH are currently considering the membership of the taskforce and will announce the membership shortly.

Specialised Diplomas

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the 14 to 19 diplomas in widening access to higher education.

Jim Knight: Teaching of the first five diploma lines began in September 2008. The first advanced diploma holders to enter higher education are expected to do so in 2010, and so they have yet to apply. Diplomas have been developed for students of all abilities, but it is too early to assess the effectiveness of the diplomas in widening access, and indeed a full assessment would only be possible in the years after 2010 as diploma holder numbers grow.
	Widening access is a key concern for higher education institutions, and their involvement in the design and delivery of diplomas has been and continues to be widespread and very welcome.

Specialist Schools Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which  (a) mainstream and  (b) special schools joined the Specialist Schools programme in 2007-08.

Jim Knight: 138 mainstream schools and 57 special schools successfully applied to join the Specialist Schools Programme in the 2007-08 school year and were funded from September 2008. Full details of the schools are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Mainstream schools 
			  School name  Local authority  Specialism 
			 Alfreton Grange Arts College Derbyshire Arts 
			 Al-Hijrah Secondary School Birmingham Science 
			 All Saints CE School Stockton-on-Tees Humanities 
			 Allenbourn Middle School Dorset Sports 
			 Alnwick Lindisfarne Middle School Northumberland Technology 
			 Alnwick the Dukes Middle School Northumberland Music 
			 Barnhill Community High School Hillingdon Sports 
			 Bennerley Business and Enterprise College Derbyshire B and E 
			 Blackheath Bluecoat Church of England Secondary School Greenwich M and C 
			 Blakewater College Blackburn with Darwen M and C 
			 Blythe Bridge High School Staffordshire Sports 
			 Bow School Tower Hamlets M and C 
			 Bradley Stoke Community School South Gloucestershire Arts and Language 
			 Broomfield School Enfield Humanities 
			 Caedmon School North Yorkshire Technology 
			 Cardinal Newman Catholic Schoola specialist arts and community college Coventry Arts 
			 Carr Manor High School Leeds Sports 
			 Carshalton High School for Girls Sutton Humanities and Arts 
			 Castle Rock High School Leicestershire Sports 
			 Charles Burrell High School Norfolk Humanities 
			 Chatham South School Medway M and C 
			 Chatsmore Catholic High School West Sussex Arts 
			 Chingford Foundation School Waltham Forest Humanities and Arts 
			 Coombe Boys' School Kingston upon Thames M and C 
			 Corbridge Middle School Northumberland Arts 
			 Cranborne Middle School Dorset Sports 
			 da Vinci Community College Derby Technology 
			 Danesfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Community Middle School Somerset Science 
			 De La Salle School Essex Language 
			 Dyson Perrins C of E High School Worcestershire Sports 
			 Ellesmere Port Catholic High School Cheshire Humanities 
			 Emmanuel Middle Church of England Voluntary Aided School Dorset Sports 
			 Eskdale School North Yorkshire Technology 
			 Fairfield High School Bristol, City of Arts 
			 Fartown High School Kirklees Science and Humanities 
			 Frederick Bremer School Waltham Forest Engineering 
			 Glendale Middle School Northumberland Technology 
			 Granville Community School Derbyshire Sports 
			 Hampton College Peterborough Humanities 
			 Harrold Priory Middle School Bedfordshire Arts 
			 Harrow Way Community School Hampshire M and C 
			 Hayward School Bolton Language 
			 Hazeley School Milton Keynes Science 
			 Hexham Middle School Northumberland Arts 
			 Hind Leys Community College Leicestershire Arts 
			 Hull Trinity House School Kingston Upon Hull, City of Engineering 
			 Humphrey Perkins High School Leicestershire Arts 
			 Immanuel College Bradford Science 
			 John Colet School Buckinghamshire Humanities 
			 King David High School Liverpool Humanities 
			 King Ethelbert School Kent Arts 
			 Kings Grove School Cheshire B and E 
			 Kings Langley School Hertfordshire Arts 
			 Limehurst High School Leicestershire Sports 
			 Lincroft Middle School Bedfordshire Arts 
			 Little Ilford School Newham M and C and Arts 
			 Littlemoss High School for Boys Tameside B and E 
			 Maltby Comprehensive School Rotherham B and E 
			 Manhood Community College West Sussex Science 
			 Margaret Beaufort Middle School Bedfordshire Arts 
			 Mark Rutherford Upper School and Community College Bedfordshire Arts 
			 Market Bosworth High School and Community College Leicestershire Sports 
			 Montagu School Northamptonshire Sports 
			 Moorside High School Salford M and C 
			 Moorside High School Staffordshire Science 
			 Nether Stowe High School Staffordshire M and C 
			 Newbridge High School Leicestershire Sports 
			 North Axholme School North Lincolnshire Arts 
			 Oriel High School West Sussex Arts 
			 Our Lady and St. Bede RC School Stockton-on-Tees Arts 
			 Overton Grange School Sutton Humanities 
			 Parkfield High School Wolverhampton Language 
			 Pewsey Vale School Wiltshire Arts 
			 Priestnall School Stockport Sports 
			 Prospect School Reading Sports 
			 Quarrydale School Nottinghamshire Science 
			 Ricards Lodge High School Merton Arts 
			 Robert Bloomfield Middle School Bedfordshire Engineering 
			 Rokeby School Newham M and C and Language 
			 Rosemary Musker High School, Thetford Norfolk Technology 
			 Roysia Middle School Hertfordshire M and C 
			 Rye Community College East Sussex Arts 
			 Salesian School, Chertsey Surrey M and C and Humanities 
			 Seahouses Middle School Northumberland Music 
			 Sexey's School Somerset Humanities 
			 Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School Warrington Music 
			 South Shields Community School South Tyneside B and E 
			 St. Aloysius RC College Islington M and C 
			 St. Bede's School Surrey Music 
			 St. Bernard's Catholic School Buckinghamshire Science 
			 St. Cuthbert Mayne School Torbay Science and M and C 
			 St. Cuthbert's Roman Catholic High School, Rochdale Rochdale B and E 
			 St. Edmund's Catholic School Portsmouth Humanities 
			 St. George RC School Westminster Humanities and Business and Enterprise 
			 St. Ivo School Cambridgeshire Humanities 
			 St. John Fisher Catholic High School Staffordshire Humanities 
			 St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Middle School Northumberland Arts 
			 St. Mary's Catholic High School Croydon M and C 
			 St. Mary's C of E High School Barnet Humanities 
			 St. Michael's Church of England Voluntary Aided Middle School, Col Dorset Sports 
			 St. Patrick's RC Comprehensive School Stockton-on-Tees M and C 
			 St. Philip Howard Catholic High School, The West Sussex Humanities 
			 St. Thomas More Catholic School Bedfordshire Humanities 
			 Stalham High School Norfolk Humanities 
			 Tauheedul Islam Girls High School Blackburn with Darwen Humanities 
			 The Archbishop's School Kent Humanities 
			 The Community College, Bishop's Castle Shropshire Humanities 
			 The Garendon High School Leicestershire Sports 
			 The Gedling School Nottinghamshire Science 
			 The Grange School Buckinghamshire B and E 
			 The Greneway School Hertfordshire M and C 
			 The Hewett School Norfolk Arts 
			 The Lammas School Waltham Forest Sports 
			 The Newlands Catholic School FCJ Middlesbrough M and C 
			 The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough Lincolnshire Language and Music 
			 The Stonehenge School Wiltshire M and C 
			 The Sutherland School Telford and Wrekin B and E 
			 The Thomas Alleyne School Hertfordshire Science 
			 The Wakeman School Shropshire Arts 
			 Thomas Becket Catholic School Northamptonshire Sports 
			 Thomas Percy Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Middle School Northumberland Science 
			 Thrybergh Comprehensive School Rotherham Sports 
			 Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School Kent Music 
			 Upper Shirley High School Southampton M and C 
			 Upton-by-Chester High School Cheshire Humanities 
			 Walderslade Girls' School Medway Humanities and Arts 
			 Werneth School Stockport Arts 
			 Westborough High School Kirklees B and E and Arts 
			 Westergate Community School West Sussex Arts 
			 Weston Road High School Staffordshire M and C 
			 William Lovell Church of England School Lincolnshire Music 
			 Wimbledon College Merton Science 
			 Wingfield School Rotherham B and E 
			 Winstanley Community College Leicestershire Sports 
			 Wollaston School Northamptonshire Arts 
			 Woodbrook Vale High School Leicestershire Arts 
			 Wortley High School Leeds Arts 
			 Yavneh College Hertfordshire B and E 
		
	
	
		
			  Special schools 
			  School name  Local authority  Specialism 
			 Abbey Court Community Special School Medway SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 Abbey School Rotherham Sports 
			 Amwell View School Hertfordshire Sports 
			 Brackenfield Special School Derbyshire SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 Bradstow School Wandsworth SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 Brookfield School Herefordshire SEN Behaviour Emotional and Social 
			 Foxwood School Kent SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 Garratt Park School Wandsworth M and C 
			 Hall School Norfolk SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 Heathlands School Hertfordshire SEN Sensory Physical 
			 Heritage Park Community School Sheffield SEN Behaviour Emotional and Social 
			 Holly Bank School Kirklees SEN Sensory Physical 
			 James Brindley School Birmingham Arts 
			 Kilton Thorpe School Redcar and Cleveland Arts 
			 Knightsfield School Hertfordshire SEN Sensory Physical 
			 Longcause Community Special School Plymouth Sports 
			 Mapledown School Barnet SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 Mary Rose School Portsmouth Sports 
			 Meadow High School Hillingdon SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 Meadowgate School Cambridgeshire SEN Sensory Physical 
			 Muntham House School West Sussex SEN Behaviour Emotional and Social 
			 Newfield School Sefton SEN Behaviour Emotional and Social 
			 Northcott School Kingston Upon Hull, City of SEN Communication and 
			 Northgate School Northamptonshire Arts 
			 Oak Grove College West Sussex Arts 
			 Oakfield Park School, Ackworth Wakefield SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 Oaklands School Hounslow SEN Sensory Physical 
			 Parkwood Hall School Kensington and Chelsea Arts 
			 Percy Hedley School North Tyneside SEN Sensory Physical 
			 Rowdeford School Wiltshire SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 Rumworth School Bolton SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 Saxon Hill School Staffordshire SEN Sensory Physical 
			 Shepherd School Nottingham Sports 
			 Springhead School North Yorkshire SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 St. Anthony's School West Sussex SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 St. Rose's Special School Gloucestershire SEN Sensory Physical 
			 Stony Dean School Buckinghamshire SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 Sutherland House School Nottingham SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 Talbot Specialist School (for cognition and learning) Sheffield SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 The Bridge at HLC Telford and Wrekin B and E 
			 The Castle School West Berkshire SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 The Delves School Derbyshire Sports 
			 The Eresby School, Spilsby Lincolnshire SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 The Gatehouse School Milton Keynes SEN Behaviour Emotional and Social 
			 The Grantham Ambergate School Lincolnshire Sports 
			 The Meadows School Durham SEN Behaviour Emotional and Social 
			 The Milestone School Gloucestershire SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 The Old Park School Dudley SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 The Parkside School, Norwich Norfolk SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 The Phoenix School Lincolnshire SEN Behaviour Emotional and Social 
			 The Shrubberies School Gloucestershire SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 The St Francis Special School, Lincoln Lincolnshire SEN Sensory Physical 
			 Thomas Bewick School Newcastle upon Tyne SEN Communication and Interaction 
			 Valence School Kent Sports 
			 Walton Leigh School Surrey SEN Cognition and Learning 
			 Wightwick Hall School Staffordshire B and E 
			 Wyvern School Dorset SEN Cognition and Learning

Star Chamber Board

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the performance of the Star Chamber Board to date; what achievements the Board has made since its establishment; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department's Star Chamber has been in existence for 10 years, and assesses requests for new or revised data collections, with the aim of ensuring that they are feasible, necessary, value for money and add as small a burden to the front line as possible. In 2006, the process was enhanced with the addition of an external panel comprising local authority and head teacher representatives.
	The Star Chamber has performed a valuable role in ensuring burdens on schools and authorities are kept to a minimum, by scrutinising data collection plans. They have made an input into other, related, areas, including advising us about information that should be collected to inform the National Indicator Set. They have also input their views into how the Department's Simplification Plan can best fulfil the aim of cutting the data requests to the front line. In recognition of the balanced approach they have shown, the external panel have now been given the power to make the decisions about whether collection requests should go ahead.

Teachers: Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the progress made under Teach First initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Since it began in 2003, the programme has attracted over 1,000 graduates into teaching. The programme was extended to Manchester and the Midlands in 2007; to Liverpool in 2008 and will extend to Yorkshire in 2009. In June, the Prime Minister announced an expansion in the programme from 370 places per year in 2008/09 to 850 per year in 2013/14.
	In its inspection report published in 2008, Ofsted reported very favourably on the teacher training provided by the programme; noting that some of the trainees were the best that it had seen in any inspections.
	The Government support Teach First because it brings into teaching high quality, well-motivated graduates who would not otherwise have considered teaching. Teach First operates in challenging urban secondary schools that would normally struggle to recruit such high quality trainees.

Teachers: Training

Andrew Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which  (a) private sector bodies and  (b) university (i) education and (ii) mathematics faculties are taking part in the design of the courses that make up the continuing professional development contract put out by the National Centre of Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics and National Strategies.

Jim Knight: The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) does not directly provide training and development for teachers, it seeks to improve access to and quality assure mathematics continuing professional development. Working with the wider mathematics community, the NCETM facilitates, enhances and provides strategic direction and leadership for all aspects of continuing professional development in mathematics.
	Since their inception, the national strategies (NS) have worked with a number of different partner organisations on various CPD materials and approaches. These are for local authorities (LA) to use with schools and are in the form of LA consultant training and course materials.
	Currently on mathematics, the NS work with a number of stakeholders including NCETM, Universities' Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET) and the Advisory Committee for Mathematics Education (ACME). They are also working with Hull and Reading Universities' Initial Teacher Training departments, Edge Hill University and KPMG's Charitable Foundation, the Every Child a Chance Trust.

Young Offenders

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of inmates in young offender institutions previously had looked-after status in each of the last 10 years.

Beverley Hughes: Data on the number of young people in YOIs who have been looked after by local authorities earlier in their childhood are not collected centrally.
	However, we can say that of the 59,500 young people looked after by local authorities at 31 March 2008, 130 were placed in a young offender institute (YOI) or prison. This is equivalent to 0.22 per cent. of the total number of looked after children.
	The following table shows the data collected since 2004.
	
		
			  Year to 31 March:  Total number of looked after children  Number placed  in YOI 
			 2004 61,200 140 
			 2005 61,000 110 
			 2006 60,300 140 
			 2007 60,000 150 
			 2008 59,500 130 
		
	
	These figures have been taken from table A3 of the latest Statistical First Release 'Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008' which is available on the Department's website via the following link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000810/index.shtml

Young People: Drugs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the percentage of people under the age of 25 years who used Class A drugs in 2007-08.

Alan Campbell: I have been asked to reply.
	There are two primary sources of statistics on the use of illicit drugs by young people: the British Crime Survey (which covers England and Wales) and the Drug use, Smoking and Drinking Survey among young people in England.
	According to the 2007-08 British Crime Survey 7 per cent. of young people aged 16-24 reported using a class A drug in the last year.
	Latest figures from the 2007 Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Survey show that 4 per cent. of pupils aged 11-15 years reported using class A drugs in the past year.

Young People: Smoking

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the percentage of  (a) males and  (b) females under the age of 25 years who smoked tobacco in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not available in the exact format requested.
	Information on smoking tobacco is not readily available. While information on smoking pipes and cigars is collected for those aged 16 and over the prevalence is very low among those aged below 25 and is collected separately to information on cigarette smoking, therefore overall prevalence of smoking tobacco is not available.
	Information on the prevalence of smoking cigarettes among adults aged 16 to 19 and aged 20 to 24 in Great Britain, by gender in 2002 to 2006 is available from the General Household Survey 2006: Smoking and drinking among adults, 2006. This information can be found in Table 1.1 on page 15. This publication is available in the Library.
	Data on the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults aged 16 to 19 and aged 20 to 24 in England, by gender, in 2002 to 2006 are available in Statistics on Smoking: England, 2008, in Table 2.1, on page 14. This publication has been placed in the Library.
	Information on the proportion of children (aged 11 to 15) in England, who were regular and who were occasional cigarette smokers, by gender, for 2002 to 2007 are available in, Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2007 in Table 3.1, on page 116. This publication has already been placed in the Library.

Youth Custody

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what progress the Youth Justice Board has made on a new safeguarding strategy for children and young people in the secure estate.

Beverley Hughes: The Youth Justice Board (YJB), in collaboration with the National Children's Bureau, published A Review of Safeguarding in the Secure Estate on 15 December 2008. The Review recognised that much has already been done in respect to safeguarding young people in custody and made a number of recommendations. The YJB is working to develop a national safeguarding strategy for young people in the secure estate. As part of this programme, it is undertaking reviews in specific areas highlighted by the Review, including :
	full searches (due for completion by February 2009)
	single separation (due for completion by February 2009)
	rewards and sanctions (due for completion 2010)
	adjudications (due for completion 2010)
	complaints (due for completion 2010)

Youth Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department issued on the co-location of services for children and young people in 2008.

Beverley Hughes: The co-location of services is a useful way of providing a single point of access for children, young people and families, and a more effective and efficient way of professionals working together. While many areas are working hard to co-locate services and achieve the benefits this can bring, feedback suggests there are some barriers that are preventing services from co-locating as a matter of course. In response to this, we announced in the Children's Plan: One Year On progress report that we will be setting up a dedicated 200 million fund to support co-location of services. This fund will run from April 2009 and will assist local areas to move ahead rapidly on capital investment projects where the co-location of services will help join up work between professionals and promote better outcomes for children and young people.
	To support local areas prepare high quality applications to this fund, and to promote ongoing co-location of services through existing capital investment programmes including Building Schools for the Future, we expect to issue additional guidance on co-location during the first half of this year.

Youth Services

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent progress the Youth Taskforce has made towards meeting its objectives; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Youth Taskforce was set up to improve outcomes for some of our most at risk and challenging young people. In March 2008, we launched the Youth Taskforce Action Plan, backed by a total funding package of 218 million. The Youth Taskforce is now working across the country to drive improved local delivery of services and support for young people, ensuring that every local area has an effective approach to keep young people on track.
	The Taskforce has made progress on all its objectives, including:
	Establishing 'Challenge and Support' projects in 52 areas where youth crime and antisocial behaviour are a particular problem. These projects intervene quickly with young people involved in antisocial behaviour to tackle underlying causes of their behaviour, alongside enforcement action.
	Establishing Intensive Intervention Projects in 20 areas. These pioneering projects use assertive key workers and support with sanctions to turn around the lives of the most challenging and problematic young people.
	Training over 2,500 practitioners across the country through regional conferences and Roadshows.
	Leading a programme of reform with local authorities to ensure every area has a systematic and joined up approach to prevention, early intervention and support for at risk teenagers.
	Beginning delivery of the Youth Crime Action Plan, published in July 2008, in particular supporting 69 local areas to implement promising approaches to youth crime prevention, including 'Operation Staysafe' and 'Street-based teams'.

Youth Services: Training

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in what ways his Department is working with external partners to introduce a common platform of skills and training for those across all sectors who work with young people; and in what ways it is working with such partners to develop new qualifications for support staff.

Beverley Hughes: The Children's Workforce Network (CWN) is managing the delivery of a programme of youth workforce reform through the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). CWDC engage with the relevant Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and key organisations in the youth sector, including the third sector, in order to develop, agree and lead the work. This programme of reform includes a set of measures to raise the level of skills and competencies of the workforce and provide a common platform of skills and training that rationalises and improves the existing arrangements for all staff including professionals and support workers. A common apprenticeship, a foundation degree and a youth professional status are all under development as important new components of the new skills framework for the youth workforce.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Adult Education: North East

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department is taking to provide opportunities for jobless people to learn new skills, with particular reference to the North East.

Si�n Simon: As part of the integrated approach to employment and skills, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Jobcentre Plus in the North East are closely aligned to provide a range of opportunities for workless people. Through the Skills for Jobs strategy the main programmes are: The Sector Routeways Programme, providing accredited learning for those furthest from the labour market; the Personal Best Programme, which encourages long term unemployed people to learn skills through volunteer work on 2012 Olympics projects; and the Skills Solution Fund, to respond to local redundancies. An enhanced careers and advice service also provides more intensive support for workless people.
	The LSC in the North East, and in the rest of England, delivers the legal right for all adults to get training up Level 2, and the guarantee of fee funding for every 18-25 year-old until they reach 25 or achieve Level 3 qualifications. Skills for Life literacy and numeracy learningup to Level 2are also free to the learner.
	The LSC in the North East works closely with the public, private and voluntary sector partners through the regional employability framework. The framework represents a set of principles that bring together the LSC, Jobcentre Plus, local authorities the Regional Development Agency, and a range of other partners with a shared objective to get people back into work.
	On 17 December 2008, the Secretary of State announced details of a 158 million package of enhanced skills support for people affected by the economic situation in England. Implementation of this package will happen at a regional level to ensure that support is tailored to local needs. Regional Ministers are co-ordinating the response, working closely with Directors from the LSC, including Chris Roberts, the Director for the North East, and Jobcentre Plus.

Apprentices: Greater London

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many apprenticeships were  (a) started and  (b) completed in (i) London and (ii) the London Borough of Wandsworth in the academic year (A) 2003-04, (B) 2004-05, (C) 2005-06 and (D) 2006-07; and in what trades such apprenticeships were undertaken in each such year.

Si�n Simon: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts and completions in London and Wandsworth local authority from 2003/04 academic year to 2006/07.
	
		
			  Table 1: Apprenticeship starts in London and Wandsworth local authority, 2003/04 to 2006/07 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07 
			  London 
			 Starts 11,850 12,360 11,010 11,090 
			 Completions 2,050 3,190 5,280 6,250 
			  
			  Wandsworth local authority 
			 Starts 290 290 250 220 
			 Completions 50 70 110 120 
			  Notes: 1. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding. 2. Region and local authority is based on learner's home postcode.  Source: Work Based Learning ILR data 
		
	
	Tables 2 and 3 show the number of apprenticeship starts and completions in London by groupings of Sector framework of Learning for 2003/04 to 2006/07.
	Numbers for Wandsworth local authority are too small to split by Sector Framework of Learning.
	
		
			  Table 2: Apprenticeship Starts in London by Groupings of Sector Framework of Learning, 2003/04 to 2006/07 
			  Framework grouping  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07 
			 Accountancy 260 270 220 170 
			 Active Leisure and Learning   370 290 
			 Agriculture and Horticulture 50 50 40 50 
			 Animal Care 50 60 40 30 
			 Arts and Entertainment 10 30   
			 Automotive Industry 860 960 80 50 
			 Aviation 10 10 10 20 
			 Bus and Coach 20 20   
			 Business Administration 1,030 1,180 1,050 1,020 
			 Call Handling 30 30   
			 Carry and Deliver Goods60 
			 Children's Care Learning and Development/Early Years Care and Education 1,540 1,560 1,430 1,410 
			 Community Justice 40 20 30 10 
			 Construction 590 880 910 930 
			 Contact Centres   40 20 
			 Customer Service 980 890 950 1,000 
			 Dental Nursing   70 90 
			 Driving Goods Vehicles 10 10 10 10 
			 Electricity Industry 40 40 20 10 
			 Electrotechnical 590 500 540 590 
			 Engineering (inc Construction Engineering) 250 290 270 250 
			 Equine Industry 140 130 130 80 
			 Floristry   10 10 
			 Football Sporting Excellence   30  
			 Gas Industry 70 140 130 70 
			 Glass Industry  10  10 
			 Hairdressing 1,470 1,500 1,330 1,320 
			 Health and Beauty Therapy 60 60 90 100 
			 Health and Social Care 200 210 140 120 
			 Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 140 180 230 210 
			 Hospitality and Catering 800 540 420 410 
			 Information Technology and Electronic Services 500 320 350 330 
			 Insurance  20 30  
			 International Trade and Services 10 10   
			 Mail Services   40 20 
			 Management 90 120 100 120 
			 Manufacturing OperationEngineering  10   
			 Optical Advisor   20 20 
			 Pharmacy  50 30  
			 Plumbing 380 350 310 330 
			 Printing 10 30 20 10 
			 Property Services   20 10 
			 Rail Industry (Engineering and Operations)   90 30 
			 Residential Estate Agency 10
			 Retail 980 620 470 430 
			 Sales and Telesales   10 20 
			 Security Industry 30 60 90 210 
			 Sporting Excellence   60 80 
			 Sports and Recreation 320 420   
			 Support Services in Healthcare   10 30 
			 Telecommunications 40 70 70 70 
			 Textiles 40 20 10  
			 Transport Engineering and Maintenance   20 20 
			 Travel and Tourism Services Leisure and Business 90 90 60 90 
			 Vehicle Body and Paint Operations   40 60 
			 Vehicle Fitting   60 60 
			 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair   410 630 
			 Vehicle Parts Operations   20 40 
			 Vehicle Sales10 
			 Veterinary Nursing   50 60 
			 Wholesale, Distribution, Warehousing and Storage 60 20 30 40 
			 Youth Work   20  
			 Unknown 50 560  20 
			 Other 30 20 30 20 
			 Total 11,850 12,360 11,010 11,090 
			  Indicates figures 5.  Notes: 1. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding. 2. Information is based on Sector Framework of Learningsome frameworks have been grouped together due to small numbers in order to provide consistent figures across years.  Source: Work Based Learning ILR data 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Apprenticeship Completions in London by Groupings of Sector Framework of Learning, 2003/04 to 2006/07 
			  Framework grouping  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07 
			 Accountancy 50 160 130 130 
			 Active Leisure and Learning   120 130 
			 Agriculture and Horticulture 10 10 40 20 
			 Animal Care 10 20 30 20 
			 Arts and Entertainment, Cultural Heritage, Information and Library Services 10  10 10 
			 Automotive Industry 140 210 410 390 
			 Aviation  10 10 10 
			 Business Administration 240 330 590 700 
			 Children's Care Learning and Development/Early Years Care and Education 130 320 650 860 
			 Construction 20 90 290 410 
			 Contact Centres   20 30 
			 Customer Service 210 310 440 560 
			 Dental Nursing40 
			 Electrotechnical 140 200 240 210 
			 Engineering (inc Construction Engineering) 80 80 130 110 
			 Equine Industry 70 90 100 100 
			 Gas Industry 50 70 120 80 
			 Hairdressing 300 460 660 750 
			 Health and Beauty Therapy 10 10 30 50 
			 Health and Social Care 30 20 50 50 
			 Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration 10 40 90 160 
			 Hospitality and Catering 100 160 210 150 
			 Information Technology and Electronic Services 130 130 270 180 
			 Insurance 10  20 20 
			 Mail Services20 
			 Management 20 30 40 80 
			 Plumbing 20 50 150 160 
			 Printing 10 10   
			 Rail Industry (Engineering and Operations)  20  20 
			 Retail 120 180 210 220 
			 Sales and Telesales 
			 Security Industry 10 10 20 110 
			 Sporting Excellence   10 50 
			 Sports and Recreation 40 70   
			 Telecommunications 20 20 40 20 
			 Transport Engineering and Maintenance   20 20 
			 Travel and Tourism Services Leisure and Business 40 20 40 50 
			 Vehicle Body and Paint Operations20 
			 Vehicle Fitting   10 40 
			 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair   20 170 
			 Veterinary Nursing   10 20 
			 Wholesale, Distribution, Warehousing and Storage 10 10 10 20 
			 Unknown 10 30 10  
			 Other 20 30 50 70 
			 Total 2,050 3,190 5,280 6,250 
			  Indicates figures 5.  Notes: 1. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding. 3. Information is based on Sector Framework of Learningsome frameworks have been grouped together due to small numbers in order to provide consistent figures across years.  Source: Work Based Learning ILR data

Higher Education: Admissions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of people applying to university who were from an unskilled background went on to attend  (a) their nearest university and  (b) a university in the latest period for which information is available.

David Lammy: The latest available information, showing applicants by their socio-economic background, is shown in the table.
	
		
			  English domiciled applicants to full-time undergraduate coursesyear of entry 2007 
			Of which :  percentage accepted for entry at : 
			  Socio-economic classification:  Applicants  Nearest HE institution  Elsewhere 
			 Higher managerial and professional occupations 60,438 2.9 82.8 
			 Lower managerial and professional occupations 85,708 4.3 78.2 
			 Intermediate occupations 39,770 5.5 75.4 
			 Small employers and own account workers 21,024 5.5 75.7 
			 Lower supervisory and technical occupations 12,735 5.9 76.2 
			 Semi routine occupations 41,763 7.3 69.7 
			 Routine occupations 17,133 8.3 70.1 
			 Unknown 101,506 9.4 68.6 
			 Total 380,077 6.2 74.6 
			  Source: UCAS

Higher Education: Admissions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many universities on average each  (a) prospective student from an unskilled background and  (b) other prospective student applied to enter in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Lammy: The latest available information is shown in the table.
	
		
			  English domiciled applicants to full-time undergraduate courses:year of entry 2007 
			   Average number of institutions applied to 
			  Socio-economic classification:  
			 Higher managerial and professional occupations 4.86 
			 Lower managerial and professional occupations 4.56 
			 Intermediate occupations 4.33 
			 Small employers and own account workers 4.39 
			 Lower supervisory and technical occupations 4.34 
			 Semi routine occupations 4.06 
			 Routine occupations 4.03 
			 Unknown 3.96 
			 Total 4.35 
			  Source:  UCAS

Higher Education: Admissions

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of Universities and Colleges Admissions Services university applications were made online in each year since it has been possible to apply online.

David Lammy: The following table shows the proportion of applications submitted through UCAS for each medium available since academic year 2003/04.
	
		
			  Proportion of applications submitted via each route through UCAS 
			  Percentage 
			   Year of entry 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08 
			 Application route  
			 Electronic application system 30.0 24.9 12.2 0.6 0.0 
			 Web 7.5 22.8 60.9 97.4 99.7 
			 Paper 62.5 52.3 26.9 2.0 0.3 
			  Note: Electronic applications have been available since 2003/04. The Electronic Application system was the forerunner of the web system (applicants were able to submit their applications via a CD-ROM). Data for academic year 2008/09 is not yet available.  Source:  UCAS.

Intellectual Property

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many of the Gowers Report recommendations have been implemented.

David Lammy: Over half of the 54 recommendations made in the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property have already been completed. Immediate action was taken in some areas such as the enactment of new powers for trading standards officers to search and seize copyright infringing goods. However in other areas it has been appropriate to carefully consider and work through the policy and legal issues sitting behind the recommendations. Work is continuing on the remaining recommendations and significant progress is being made.

Medicine: Education

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many  (a) students and  (b) undergraduates were studying (i) medicine, (ii) dentistry and (iii) subjects allied to medicine in each of the last five years, broken down by institution.

David Lammy: The required numbers of doctors and dentists entering training are set having considered the future workforce requirements of the NHS.
	For doctors, following an impressive expansion in medical student intake from 3,749 in 1997-98 to 6,194 in 2006-07, a decision was taken in July 2006 that no further expansion of medical school places is required at present. Medical student numbers will be kept under review taking account of the changing demographics of the workforces and the workforce requirements of the NHS.
	The latest available figures will be placed in both Libraries. Figures for the 2007/08 academic year will be available on 29 January 2009.

Overseas Students

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many non-EU students are expected to graduate from universities in England this year; and how many have so graduated in the last 10 years.

David Lammy: The latest available figures are shown in the table. Figures for the 2007/08 academic year will be available on 29 January 2009.
	Projections for the number of non-EU qualifiers in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 academic years are not available.
	
		
			  Non-EU domiciled qualifiers( 1)  English higher education institutions academic years 1997/98 to 2006/07 
			  Academic year  Qualifiers 
			 1997/98 30,920 
			 1998/99 30,665 
			 1999/2000 31,375 
			 2000/01 36,305 
			 2001/02 41,395 
			 2002/03 49,450 
			 2003/04 61,820 
			 2004/05 67,355 
			 2005/06 72,005 
			 2006/07 74,415 
			 (1) From 2000/01 students qualifying from a dormant mode of study are included in the figures; they are excluded in all previous years. Incoming exchange students are excluded from the figures from 2000/01 onwards; they were included in all previous years. Figures cover qualifiers from all levels of study.  Note: Figures use the qualifications obtained population and have been rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Shipping: Training

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what plans are in place to  (a) develop training schemes for people who wish to join the shipping industry and  (b) improve employment prospects for seafarers at the end of their training.

Si�n Simon: The Maritime Skills Alliance is the standard setting body for the shipping industry, and works with the Learning and Skills Council as a key stakeholder. The marine industry have apprenticeships that encompass a wide range of skills and pathways. These include pathways for those navigating and driving ships, as well as engineering, electronics, boat building and maintenance. Colleges and training providers that offer skills training also have a role in highlighting employment prospects for trainees. With about 95 per cent. of Britain's trade arriving and leaving by sea, there will be a continuous demand for skilled seafarers.

Students: Part-Time Employment

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the number and percentage of undergraduate students who were in part-time work in the  (a) first year,  (b) second year,  (c) third year and  (d) fourth year of their degree courses during the last 12 months, broken down by (i) socio-economic group and (ii) number of hours worked per week.

David Lammy: Most recent estimates of the proportion of students undertaking paid work come from the 2004/05 Student Income and Expenditure Survey. This was a comprehensive study on student income, expenditure, borrowing and debt.
	Table 1 shows the proportion of students who undertook paid work during the academic year 2004/05 by socio-economic group and year of study. Table 2 shows the hours worked on average among these students.
	Updated statistics will be available when the 2007/08 Student Income and Expenditure Survey is published early this year.
	
		
			  Table 1: Proportion of students undertaking paid work  during term-time 
			  Year of study  Socio-economic group  Proportion undertaking paid work (percentage) 
			 First year Managerial/professional 55 
			  Intermediate 64 
			  Routine/manual 61 
			  All socio-economic groups 58 
			
			 Second/intermediate years Managerial/professional 60 
			  Intermediate 58 
			  Routine/manual 64 
			  All socio-economic groups 60 
			
			 Final year/one-year course only Managerial/professional 49 
			  Intermediate 47 
			  Routine/manual 58 
			  All socio-economic groups 50 
			
			 All years Managerial/professional 55 
			  Intermediate 55 
			  Routine/manual 61 
			  All socio-economic groups 56 
			  Note: CoverageEnglish domiciled full-time undergraduate students studying in England and Wales.  Source: Student Income and Expenditure Survey 2004/05 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Average number of hours worked per week by year of study 
			  Year of study  Mean hours worked per week 
			 First year 13.8 
			 Second/intermediate years 12.3 
			 Final year/one-year course only 14.7 
			 All years 13.6 
			  Note: CoverageEnglish domiciled full-time undergraduate students studying in England and Wales, who undertook continuous paid employment during term-time.  Source: Student Income and Expenditure Survey 2004/05

Vocational Training: Admissions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people were entered for each publicly-recognised vocational qualification in the last year for which figures are available.

David Lammy: We do not hold enrolment data on publicly recognised vocational qualifications. Data on achievements of vocational qualifications are available at:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000773/index.shtml

National Internship Scheme

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  how many places he plans to provide under the national internship scheme;
	(2)  which organisations his Department has invited to participate in the national internship scheme; and which have agreed to offer graduates places under the scheme;
	(3)  how many places he expects there to be in the national internship scheme in each local authority area.

David Lammy: The introduction of an internship offer is part of this Government's overall package to support individuals through the economic downturn. The intention here is for unemployed graduates to have the opportunity to spend three months with an employer in either the private, public or third sector to apply their learning in the workplace and build the work-ready skills they will need for permanent employment. It is still early days and specific details are currently being worked out in collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders.

National Internship Scheme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what plans he has to ensure that graduates based in rural areas have access to the new national internship scheme.

David Lammy: As part of its overall package to support individuals through the economic downturn, the Government are considering new internship opportunities for unemployed graduates. We expect to offer graduates the opportunity to spend three months with an employer in either the private, public or third sector to apply their learning in the workplace and build the work-ready skills they will need for permanent employment. It is still early days and the details will be carefully worked out in collaboration with all the relevant stakeholders. We will ensure that the position of graduates in rural areas is taken into account.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bangladesh: Human Rights

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to enter into discussions with the new government of Bangladesh on human rights in that country.

Bill Rammell: We welcome the commitment of the newly elected government in its election manifesto to ensure the impartiality of the judiciary, stop judicial killings and strengthen and make effective Bangladesh's newly-formed Human Rights Commission. We look forward to seeing progress on all these issues and will make human rights a priority in our engagement with the government. We plan to play an active role in the Universal Periodic Review of Bangladesh's human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council in February and are offering practical assistance to the country's Human Rights Commission.

British Overseas Territories: Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the budget for the Overseas Territories Programme Fund is for 2008-09; and how much was spent from the fund in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The budget for the Overseas Territories Programme Fund for 2008-09 is 6.5 million.
	The fund spent the following amounts in the last five years:
	
		
			million 
			 2007-08 6.6 
			 2006-07 4.5 
			 2005-06 4.4 
			 2004-05 3.0 
			 2003-04 3.1

Carbon Emissions: EU Action

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his remarks on a durable funding mechanism for carbon capture and storage (CCS) of 9 December 2008,  Official Report, column 416, if he will  (a) place in the Library a copy of the background papers supporting this initiative and  (b) place in the Library and publish on the appropriate departmental website a copy of the full proposals for the CCS funding mechanism once it has been considered at the European Council meeting to which he made reference.

Gillian Merron: The compromise text resulting from the agreement at the European Council, as drafted by the French presidency, has still to undergo a vote in Plenary in the European Parliament, so it would be inappropriate to publish it at present. Should the European Parliament adopt the proposals as drafted, they will be published by the Commission in due course. Following publication we will place a copy in the Library.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Natural Resources

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what projects the Government is undertaking with the provincial government of Katanga in Democratic Republic of Congo and with mining companies to improve transparency in the award of contracts for resource extraction.

Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK Government are in discussions with the provincial Government of Katanga, three international mining companies and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) about a joint development initiative to improve operating standards and capacity in the provincial mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and to ensure that local people benefit from Katanga's mineral wealth. One of the aims of the initiative will be to improve transparency in the mining sector by, for example, linking to implementation of the extractive industries transparency initiative (EITI) in the province. However, the initiative will not directly address the award of new mining contracts in DRC. The initiative is currently in the planning phase and we expect to begin implementation later this year. We understand the World Bank may include strengthening national government capacity to negotiate mining contracts as part of their planned mining sector reform programme.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department appointed a senior information risk owner in accordance with the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government and the accompanying document Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action; when the appointment was made; and what grade the person holds within the Department.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) chief information officer is the Department's senior information risk owner and is a member of the FCO Board. The present incumbent took up his appointment to both roles in March 2007.

Departmental Energy

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to reduce the amount of energy it wastes.

Gillian Merron: The Government's Delivery Plan for 'Sustainable Procurement and Operations on the Government Estate', published in August 2008, provides a full account of the initiatives departments are taking to reduce their energy waste. The Government have committed to updating the Delivery Plan on a six monthly basis, and the first update was published on 18 December. Further details of sustainable operations in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) can be found on page 111 of the 2007-08 FCO departmental report
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/departmental-report/part2/change-programmes/.
	Since the publication of the departmental report, the FCO has used information obtained for display energy certificates and external ISO 14001 audits to further improve energy efficiency. A hundred overseas posts are introducing an environmental management system which includes measures to improve energy efficiency. This scheme will be rolled out to further posts later this year. Our current information technology infrastructure is being replaced by a system with advanced power saving settings which should also offer a significant energy saving.

Departmental Internet

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 336-7W, on Government Departments: information and communications technology, which IP addresses are used by  (a) his Department and  (b) computers in the offices of its (i) Ministers, (ii) communications officials and (iii) special advisers.

Gillian Merron: To help defend against electronic attack, it is standard information security practice not to publish internal internet protocol (IP) addresses. When accessing internet websites, the IP addresses of all of the computers on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's internal office IT system are hidden behind publicly available IP addresses; including 195.92.40.49 and 62.25.106.209. These IP addresses are shared with other Government Departments that use the Government Secure Intranet.

Diplomatic Service: Recruitment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the members of the internal selection board for appointing heads of mission for his Department are; in what region of the UK each was born; what the  (a) gender and  (b) ethnic balance is of members of the board; and whether any have publicly declared their sexual orientation.

Gillian Merron: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 14 January 2008,  Official Report, column 858W, on the membership of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) selection boards.
	Two members of the number one selection board are female; the other five members and the chair are male. The chair and five members of the number two selection board are female; there are 17 male members. The chair and one other member of the Band D selection board are female; the other three members are male. All are white. The FCO does not collect data on the sexual orientation of its staff. The regions of birth of the members of each selection board are as follows:
	 Number one selection board:
	West Midlands
	Suffolk
	London
	Leicestershire
	Lancashire
	Bedfordshire
	West Lothian
	 Number two selection board:
	Greater Manchester
	London
	Teesside
	Leicestershire
	Middlesex
	Merseyside
	North Yorkshire
	Surrey
	Hampshire
	Cambridgeshire
	Scotland
	Buckinghamshire
	USA
	Italy
	 Band D board:
	Northern Ireland
	North Yorkshire
	Surrey
	Bedfordshire

EC Common Foreign and Security Policy

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the working papers drafted to frame discussion of EU-US affairs for the informal meetings of EU foreign ministers in September and November 2008.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 16 December 2008
	The EU presidency drafted a paper to focus discussion on various aspects of the EU-US relationship for both the informal EU Foreign Ministers' meetings in September and November 2008. Those present at the meetings agreed that the paper would not be published. Therefore I am unable to place a copy of the paper in the Library.

Embassies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total running cost of the British embassy in  (a) Ottawa,  (b) Washington,  (c) Beijing,  (d) Tokyo,  (e) Sydney,  (f) Johannesburg and  (g) Delhi was in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) posts overseas derive income from visa fees and consular services, and incur expenditure in running costs, programme and capital expenditure. The figures in the table represent the net running costs of missions calculated by deducting income from expenditure figures. Fluctuations in the figures from one year to another can result from changes in income from visa fees as well as increases or decreases in post expenditure. Increased expenditure in Ottawa in 2004-05 is attributed to higher than usual Programme Expenditure of 4.6 million in that year.
	
		
			   
			  British High Commission in Ottawa  
			 2007-08 1,051,522 
			 2006-07 1,860,048 
			 2005-06 3,637,752 
			 2004-05 6,925,934 
			 2003-04 3,226,134 
			  British embassy in Washington  
			 2007-08 16,759,412 
			 2006-07 15,971,542 
			 2005-06 19,659,809 
			 2004-05 21,688,037 
			 2003-04 12,651,704 
			  British embassy in Beijing  
			 2007-08 13,285,479 
			 2006-07 15,323,426 
			 2005-06 15,339,366 
			 2004-05 14,845,172 
			 2003-04 14,010,319 
			  British embassy in Tokyo  
			 2007-08 14,780,460 
			 2006-07 19,497,202 
			 2005-06 16,341,603 
			 2004-05 20,337,900 
			 2003-04 19,297,814 
			  Consulate-General in Sydney  
			 2007-08 2,556,714 
			 2006-07 1,987,297 
			 2005-06 2,947,774 
			 2004-05 2,659,800 
			 2003-04 2,181,639 
			  Trade and Investment Office in Johannesburg  
			 2007-08 1,895,417 
			 2006-07 1,900,192 
			 2005-06 2,247,555 
			 2004-05 1,992,664 
			 2003-0 1,984,646 
			  British High Commission in New Delhi  
			 2007-08 7,355,000 
			 2006-07 (1) 
			 2005-06 15,553,352 
			 2004-05 19,987,080 
			 2003-04 14,696,818 
			 (1) Data not accessible

European Union: Civil Servants

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff served in the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in each year since 1997, broken down by payband.

Gillian Merron: The following table records the number of staff working at UK representation to the EU in financial years from 2005 to 2008. We do not hold data from before this date centrally. This information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  EC representation to the EU (Brussels) 
			  Date  FCO grade  Civil service equivalent  Number of staff 
			 1 April 2008 Al AA 0 
			  A2 AO 4 
			  B3 EO 5 
			  C4 HEO 20 
			  C5 SEO 4 
			  D6 7 30 
			  D7 6 7 
			  SMS1 SCS 9 
			  SMS2 SCS 2 
			  SMS3 SCS 1 
			  SMS4 SCS 1 
			  Total  83 
			 
			 1 April 2007 Al AA 0 
			  A2 AO 5 
			  B3 EO 3 
			  C4 HEO 18 
			  C5 SEO 2 
			  D6 7 32 
			  D7 6 5 
			  SMS1 SCS 9 
			  SMS2 SCS 2 
			  SMS3 SCS 1 
			  SMS4 SCS 1 
			  Total  78 
			 
			 1 April 2006 Al AA 0 
			  A2 AO 8 
			  B3 EO 2 
			  C4 HEO 16 
			  C5 SEO 3 
			  D6 7 34 
			  D7 6 4 
			  SMS1 SCS 7 
			  SMS2 SCS 2 
			  SMS3 SCS 1 
			  SMS4 SCS 1 
			  Total  78 
			 
			 1 April 2005 Al AA 0 
			  A2 AO 12 
			  B3 EO 2 
			  C4 HEO 27 
			  C5 SEO 4 
			  D6 7 34 
			  D7 6 4 
			  SMS1 SCS 8 
			  SMS2 SCS 2 
			  SMS3 SCS 1 
			  SMS4 SCS 1 
			  Total  95

India: Christianity

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of India on reported violence against Christians in Orissa; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We are deeply concerned by the recent reports of attacks against Christians in Orissa. There can be no justification for such violent attacks against innocent people. On 1 October 2008, my noble Friend the Minister of State for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown raised the matter with the Indian High Commissioner. On 17 October, he also discussed our concerns with Anand Sharma, Indian Minister of External Affairs, and Mohammed Quereshi, chairman of the Minorities Commission in New Delhi. We understand that the Indian government fully recognises the seriousness of these incidents and is engaged with the Orissa State authorities in restoring law and order to that region.

International Relations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reduction has been made in his Department's funding for public diplomacy as a result of its Allocative Efficiencies programme, as referred to on page 27 of his Department's Autumn 2008 Performance Report.

David Miliband: As a result of the Allocative Efficiencies programme the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has reduced the programme funding for public diplomacy by 9.09 million in financial year 2008-09 and a further 4.91 million in financial year 2009-10.

Iran

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent changes there have been to the Government's policy on Iran.

Bill Rammell: The Government remain very concerned by Iran's actions in the region, over the nuclear issue, and on human rights. We continue to pursue the dual track strategy to encourage Iran to comply with the demands of the international community concerning its nuclear programme: sanctions to persuade it to come to the negotiating table, and the offer of engagement leading to full negotiations through the E3 +3 process.

Iraq: Christianity

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will urge the Kurdistan Democratic Party to ensure the return of all Christian-owned land and houses misappropriated by the Kurds.

Bill Rammell: There are currently internal Iraqi processes under way to resolve Iraq's disputed internal boundaries, with technical support provided by the United Nations, which we monitor closely.
	As I said in the Westminster Hall Adjournment debate on the Christians of Iraq on 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 44WH, I hope to discuss how land and property disputes can best be resolved in the border areas between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the rest of Iraq with ministerial interlocutors from the Government of Iraq and the KRG, at the next appropriate opportunity.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he  (a) has taken and  (b) plans to take at the United Nations on allegations of (i) the use by Hamas of human shields in Gaza and (ii) the storage of weapons by Hamas among women and children in Gaza; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We condemn all abuse of innocent civilians. UN Security Council Resolution 1860, which was proposed by the UK, was emphatic in its condemnation of all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with  (a) the Palestinian Authority and  (b) Hamas on seeking a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

Bill Rammell: We are in close contact with the Palestinian Authority. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to President Abbas on 14 January.
	We share the position of the Quartet concerning contacts with Hamas: that for such contacts to be useful Hamas should reject violence, recognise Israel and accept previous agreements. We are however in close contact with the Arab League and its members states. We support Egyptian engagement with Hamas in order to achieve an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

Offenders

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many former prisoners are employed by his Department; and what his Department's policy is on employing former prisoners.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold statistics on how many former prisoners it employs.
	We collect information on a candidate's spent convictions as part of our security vetting process but do not use it for selection purposes.
	Information on the number of former prisoners employed by the FCO could only be obtained by checking the security vetting files of all FCO members of staff which could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Pakistan

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK has offered any assistance to the authorities of Pakistan in connection with the investigation of the killing of Major-General Faisal Alawi.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 12 January 2009
	The investigation into Major-General Alavi's death is a matter for the Pakistani authorities. We do not normally interfere in another country's judicial proceedings, unless under special circumstances that country asks for our assistance. We do not normally have any consular involvement in cases concerning dual-nationals in their other country of nationality, except in cases where we judge there is a special humanitarian reason to do so, for example, cases involving minors, forced marriage or a conviction involving the death penalty, but even then only where the state of other nationality agrees. Our Commission would, however, be able to register interest in the case with local authorities if contacted by the family of Major-General Alavi.

Pakistan

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether  (a) he and  (b) his officials have held discussions with the authorities of Pakistan on the death of Major-General Faisal Alawi.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 12 January 2009
	Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor UK officials have held any such discussions.

Passports: Offenders

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances UK nationals who are fugitives from justice can have their passports renewed by UK consulates overseas  (a) generally and  (b) in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS), a Home Office Agency, has the lead on the policy on who does or does not get a British passport. As long as the EPS have been notified of a fugitive from justice, there are specific procedures in place to ensure any such applicant for a British passport is properly scrutinised and relevant UK authorities are consulted on the decision to issue or not. These procedures apply across the world, including in northern Cyprus.

Sri Lanka

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Sri Lanka on the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of local aid workers from the organisation Action Contre La Faim in August 2006.

Bill Rammell: The UK has expressed clearly to the Government of Sri Lanka that it is vital for the perpetrators of this crime to be brought to justice following a through and credible investigation. In a debate in the House on 18 December 2008,  Official Report, column 1344, I spoke of the murder of 17 'Action Contre La Faim' workers in 2006 as an example of the failure to investigate and prosecute those alleged to be responsible for human rights abuses. We have consistently called on all parties to the conflict to abide by all obligations under International Humanitarian Law.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports his Department has received on the treatment of international non-governmental organisations in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: In September 2008, the UN and all international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) working in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam-controlled Vanni were asked to withdraw as the Government of Sri Lanka could not assure their safety. INGOs are currently working in a challenging environment and in recent months there have been instances of attacks on INGO staff members. Our high commission in Colombo regularly urges the Sri Lankan Government to allow INGOs full access to the Vanni and encourages them to ensure adequate protection for all non- governmental organisation workers.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on the alleged use of cluster bombs by the government of Sri Lanka in the Vanni region; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We are aware of claims about the use of cluster munitions by the Sri Lankan military. The ongoing military hostilities and the lack of independent information coming from northern Sri Lanka make it difficult to verify these claims. We have raised this issue with the Sri Lankan Government who have denied the use of such munitions by their military in any operations. The use of cluster munitions in general is of serious concern to the UK.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in the Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We are concerned about the human rights situation in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Sporadic attacks between groups continue. We welcome the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), central Government and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) setting out a three month action plan for the release of all TMVP child soldiers. The UK continues to encourage all authorities in the east to pursue a peaceful and democratic path.

Sweden: British Overseas Citizenship

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals have taken up residence in  (a) Sweden and  (b) Denmark in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: Figures from the Swedish and Danish national statistics offices show that the number of UK nationals resident in each country over the last five years were as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Sweden 
			   Number 
			 2004 16,428 
			 2005 16,798 
			 2006 17,175 
			 2007 17,788 
			 2008 18,486 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Denmark 
			   Number 
			 2004 12,724 
			 2005 12,830 
			 2006 12,894 
			 2007 13,183 
			 2008 13,729 
		
	
	These figures are the net UK nationals resident in Sweden and Denmark each year. There are no published statistics for the number of UK nationals taking up residence each year in either Sweden or Denmark.

Sweden: British Overseas Citizenship

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals are engaged in full-time study in  (a) Swedish and  (b) Danish universities.

Caroline Flint: The latest figures available from the Swedish and Danish authorities show that  (a) there were 482 UK nationals engaged in full-time study at Swedish universities in 2006-07; and  (b) there were 338 UK nationals engaged in full-time study at Danish universities in 2008.

Tourists: Illness

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have died while on holiday overseas in each of the last five years; and how many died in each EU member state in each such year.

Gillian Merron: Given the volume of information, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library of the House.

Tourists: Illness

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from UK organisations on the provision of health care for British citizens who are taken ill while on holiday overseas.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 15 December 2008
	We have received no representations from UK organisations on the provision of health care for British citizens taken ill while on holiday overseas.

Tourists: Illness

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department has put in place to support the families of those whose relatives  (a) are taken ill and  (b) die while on holiday overseas.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 15 December 2008
	Consular staff in London, and around the world, can offer advice and support to the families of those whose relatives are either taken ill or die while they are overseas. In the case of illness or injury, with the individuals' permission, we can inform family and friends when a British national has been hospitalised, keep them up to date with developments and help transfer money from friends or relatives in the UK to meet any necessary costs.
	In the event of a death overseas, we ask the UK police to contact the next of kin as soon as possible. Consular staff do their best to ensure that the family's wishes are carried out, for example, regarding burial, cremation or bringing the body home. We can put the family in touch with local lawyers and local and international funeral directors. As with hospitalisation, we cannot pay expenses, but can help transfer money from friends or relatives in the UK.
	If the death occurred under suspicious circumstances, we can assist the family in dealing with the local policeand staff are available to meet family representatives in London. When there is an ongoing investigation overseas, we can ask a local UK police force to consider providing a family liaison officer, who advises and helps the family in dealing with the investigation.

UN World Conference against Racism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Israel on UK attendance at the Durban Review Conference in 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been in discussions with their Israeli counterparts on the Durban Review Conference. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed the Durban Review Conference with the government of Israel.

Whales

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department last met representatives from the International Whaling Commission to discuss international whaling practices.

Gillian Merron: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials form part of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs-led UK delegation to the Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission, most recently held in Santiago, June 2008.
	The FCO also contributed to the Government's recent communication to the International Whaling Commission, in response to the establishment by that body of a Small Working Group to consider issues in respect of its future. In that communication, the Government set out what we consider to be practical and necessary solutions to each of the 33 issues identified for the working group to consider.
	The UK has also published 'The International Whaling CommissionThe Way Forward'
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/marine/pdf/whales/iwc-wayforward.pdf
	distributed to contracting governments, to assist in this process.
	The Small Working Group met in Cambridge, 8-10 December 2008. An FCO official formed part of the UK delegation. The Small Working Group will meet again in Rome in March 2009.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on political developments in Zimbabwe.

Gillian Merron: Mr. Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party continue to be the obstacle that stands in the way of political progress in Zimbabwe. The people of Zimbabwe want a new government that reflects the March elections and that is committed to implementing urgently needed reform. Robert Mugabe is refusing to implement the political agreement reached with the two Movement for Democratic Change formations in September and is allowing Zimbabwe to sink further into an economic and humanitarian crisis, which is already spreading across the region. We continue to work with South Africa and others in the region to encourage a durable solution, and to provide humanitarian aid to the innocent victims of these policies.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 12 January 2009
	Mr. Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party continue to be the obstacle that stands in the way of political progress in Zimbabwe. The people of Zimbabwe want a new government that reflects the March elections and that is committed to implementing urgently needed reform. Robert Mugabe is refusing to implement the political agreement reached with the two Movement for Democratic Change formations in September and is allowing Zimbabwe to sink further into an economic and humanitarian crisis, which is already spreading across the region. We continue to work with South Africa and others in the region to encourage a durable solution, and to provide humanitarian aid to the innocent victims of these policies.

HEALTH

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions there were in each of the last 15 years, broken down by  (a) grounds for abortion,  (b) length of gestation and  (c) health authority have been performed under the Abortion Act 1967 as amended by section 37 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 where the unborn child was suffering from cleft (i) palate and (ii) lip.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is shown in the following table for abortions since 1995.
	Prior to 1995, the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes did not include cleft lip and/or palate. For 1995 onwards, abortions with a principal medical condition of cleft lip or cleft palate are coded together as cleft lip and/or palate.
	Data cannot be broken down by gestation or health authority for confidentiality reasons in line with the Office for National Statistics' guidance on the disclosure of abortion statistics (2005). All abortions shown were performed under section l(l)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967, that there is substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped. 2008 statistics are due to be published in spring 2009.
	
		
			  Abortions performed under Section 1(1 )(d) of the Abortion Act 1967, with a principal medical condition of cleft lip and/or palate by gestation, residents of England and Wales, 1995-07 
			   Total cleft lip and/or palate 
			   All gestations  24+ weeks 
			 1995 6 0 
			 1996 5 0 
			
			 1997 +  0 
			 1998 5 0 
			
			 1999 3 0 
			 2000 9 0 
			 2001 2 1 
			 2002 1 0 
			
			 2003 +  (2) 
			 2004 +  (2) 
			 2005 (1)11 (2) 
			
			 2006 (2) (2) 
			 2007 (2) (2) 
			 (1) For years 2003, 2004 and 2005, some of the principal medical conditions for abortions performed under Section 1(1 )(d) had to be suppressed as the totals for each single year were too small to release. In the three years 2003-2005, there were 11 cases with a principal medical condition of the congenital malformation cleft lip and/or cleft palate. (2) Suppressed value less than 10 (between 0 and nine). From 2003 onwards, totals of less than 10 are suppressed for reasons of confidentiality in line with the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) guidance on the disclosure of abortion statistics (2005).

Abortion: Down's Syndrome

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to repeal the provision of the Abortion Act 1967 allowing women to terminate a pregnancy if their child has Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: It is accepted parliamentary practice that proposals for amendments to the Abortion Act 1967, as amended, come from Back-Bench Members and that decisions are made on the basis of free votes. The Government have no plans to change the law on abortion.
	One of the grounds for an abortion is:
	that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped.
	Parliament did not define serious handicap in the Act. Indeed, it chose to leave this to the expert judgment of the two doctors involved, who are required to form their own opinion about the seriousness of the handicap the child would suffer if born, taking into account the facts and circumstances of each individual case.

Arthritis: Health Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage the development of monitoring clinics in community settings for the purpose of reviewing patients with inflammatory arthritis.

Ann Keen: It is the responsibility of local health bodies to commission services to meet the needs of their population living with inflammatory arthritis. This may include the provision of monitoring clinics in community settings.
	The Musculoskeletal Framework, published in July 2006 (a copy of which has already been placed in the Library), emphasised the importance of regular reviews for those with inflammatory arthritis, undertaken within a monitoring clinic which can also provide education and support to enhance self-management of these conditions.

Beverley Community Hospital

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the East Riding of Yorkshire primary care trust has spent on finding a new location for Beverley Community Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs) to plan, develop and improve health services for their local residents.
	The East Riding of Yorkshire PCT was awarded 20 million from the community hospital development fund to help towards the overall cost of the development of three community hospitals in the East Riding, at Beverley, Hornsea and Driffield. It is for the PCT to manage the costs involved in developing this scheme.

Brain Injuries

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to improve services for people with acquired brain injury;
	(2)  what steps his Department has taken to record the number of people who have acquired brain injuries.

Ann Keen: In March 2005 the Department published the National Service Framework for Long-Term Conditions which focuses on improving services for people with neurological conditions, including acquired brain injury. A copy of the framework has already been placed in the Library.
	The Department has no plans to collect information on the number of people with acquired brain injuries.

Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish guidance for cancer commissioners.

Ann Keen: Guidance for cancer commissioners to take into consideration when assessing health needs, reviewing services and monitoring performance was launched on the Department's website on 12 January 2009. A copy has been placed in the Library and it can be viewed at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_092051.
	This guidance sits alongside the web-based cancer commissioning tool kit launched to national health service users in June 2008, which supports commissioners of cancer services by providing a range of benchmarked information.

Cancer: Health Services

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether he has validated a modular assessment tool for the purpose of collecting information on cancer awareness; and when he expects to undertake a national survey;
	(2)  what progress he has made on  (a) developing and  (b) testing a primary care audit tool for newly-diagnosed cancers; and when he expects to begin the national audit;
	(3)  what progress he has made on each component of the national awareness and early diagnosis initiative; and when he expects to be able to evaluate the initiative as a whole.

Ann Keen: Information on progress on the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative over the last year is set out in the first annual report of the Cancer Reform Strategy, a copy of which is available in the Library.
	The Department has funded the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to carry out a national baseline cancer awareness survey. ONS's survey is using the validated cancer awareness assessment tool developed by Cancer Research UK funded researchers. The early results from the survey were set out in the first annual report of the Cancer Reform Strategy, and we expect to publish full results from the survey in the spring.
	The Royal College of General Practitioners are taking forward work on the audit of cancer diagnosis in primary care. Three strands of work are currently being developed:
	an assessment of the interval from first presentation to a general practitioner to diagnosis;
	a significant event audit, focusing on lung cancer and cancer in children and young people, which will be piloted in early 2009; and
	development of an audit template.
	Consideration is currently being given to how best to evaluate the initiative.

Cancer: Health Services

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of commissioners of cancer services in relation to NHS waiting time standards through the assurance system developed under the world class commissioning programme;
	(2)  what assessment he has made under the world class commissioning programme of cancer commissioners' compliance with advice contained in guidance issued by his Department subsequent to the publication of the Cancer Reform Strategy.

Ann Keen: Commissioners of cancer services are subject to the wider assurance system managed by strategic health authorities that has been developed under the world class commissioning programme. Assessments undertaken as part of this process relate to commissioning in general and not specifically to the commissioning of cancer services.

Cancer: Health Services

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which local NHS organisations are following advice contained in the cancer reform strategy.

Ann Keen: The first annual report of the 'Cancer Reform Strategy' was published on 1 December 2008. The report 'Cancer Reform StrategyMaintaining momentum, building for the future: first annual report' highlights progress that have been made nationally and locally. A copy of the report has already been placed in the Library.
	The annual report for 2009 will have a greater focus on local implementation.

Cancer: Health Services

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by the NHS on the treatment of (a) breast cancer and  (b) prostate cancer in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: The information on funding is not available in the format requested. The following table shows an estimate of the gross expenditure on cancers and tumours by the national health service in England for all cancer and tumour types, for the last four available financial years. This information was first collected in 2003-04 and is not available for any previous years.
	The table also shows gross expenditure on breast cancer for 2006-07, the first year that this data was collected at sub-category level. Data on gross expenditure for prostate cancer at sub-category level is not collected.
	
		
			  Estimated gross expenditure on cancer and tumours (all types) and on breast cancers and tumours from 2003-04 to 2006-07 
			   
			  Financial year  Gross expenditure on cancers and tumours all types  Gross expenditure on breast cancers and tumours 
			 2003-04 3,385,750,000 n/a 
			 2004-05 3,773,203,000 n/a 
			 2005-06 4,302,656,000 n/a 
			 2006-07 4,352,460,000 403,807,000 
			 n/a = Not available  Source: Department of Health Resource Accounts

Cancer: Medical Treatments

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made towards completing a dataset for all chemotherapy service providers in respect of patients receiving chemotherapy.

Ann Keen: Work is under way with a group of clinicians to develop and agree a dataset for chemotherapy. The plan is to consult on this during 2009, with the aim of implementation in 2010.

Care Homes: Fees and Charges

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the current economic situation on those who fund their own stay in care homes; and what plans he has to assist such individuals to alleviate hardship.

Phil Hope: No such assessment has been made. Care home residents are already entitled to apply for public help with the cost of their care, subject to a test of their means, if they have less than 22,250 in savings. This will increase to 23,000 in April 2009.
	The Government will work closely with local authorities and care providers to ensure they are able to meet their statutory responsibilities and protect the welfare of care home residents.

Carers

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to raise awareness of statutory rights for carers.

Phil Hope: One of the commitments in the National Carers' strategy, Carers at the heart of 21(st) century families and communities, is to provide every carer with the opportunity to access comprehensive and locally specific information when they need it.
	We are establishing 'Carers Direct', an information service which will provide, via a website and a helpline, access to the information needed by carers, including issues around their statutory rights.
	The web element of the service will be launchedin limited format the end of January 2009, it will be in full form by the end of March 2009. The helplinewhich will be available by phone, e-mail and mailwill go live in April 2009 and reach full capacity in July 2009.
	The Government are making 2.8 million a year available to support this service.

Cervical Cancer: Screening

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made towards increasing the participation of women aged 25 to 35 years in the cervical cancer screening programme.

Ann Keen: As set out in the Cancer Reform Strategy, national health service cancer screening programmes have commissioned the Improvement Foundation to undertake work at a local level targeting this group. Six primary care trusts are taking part in this work. The Improvement Foundation are expected to deliver the outcomes from their work to NHS cancer screening programmes by the end of 2009, and the lessons learned will be shared with strategic health authorities and local screening programmes to develop best practice.
	To incentivise services to encourage higher coverage, the decision has been taken to explore having a tariff for cervical screening, along with breast and bowel screening. The Department is working closely with NHS cancer screening programmes on a scoping exercise to inform this work.
	We will continue to monitor levels of cervical screening coverage through the Office for National Statistics/Information Centre annual cervical screening programme statistical bulletin.
	NHS cancer screening programmes have already produced posters specifically targeting women in the age range of 25-35.

Charities

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to which  (a) charities and  (b) voluntary organisations his Department has provided funding in the last five years; and how much funding was provided to each.

Phil Hope: Information on all departmental funding to charities and voluntary organisations is not available in the format requested from central records and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Tables which show grant awards from the funding years 2004-05 up to the current funding year 2008-09 with the identifiable data available including; Social Enterprise Pathfinders, Social Enterprise Investment Fund, Children's Hospice and Hospice at Home, Dignity in Care (one year capital awards), Section 64 General Scheme of Grants and the Opportunities for Volunteering grant scheme have been placed in the Library.

Chlamydia: East Sussex

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of persons in East Sussex have been diagnosed with chlamydia in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by primary care trust.

Dawn Primarolo: Data for chlamydia diagnosed in a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic are currently only collected by strategic health authority (SHA) and are not broken down by primary care trust (PCT). Information on the rate of genital chlamydia diagnoses in GUM clinics in the South East Coast SHA for 2007, the latest year for which figures are available, is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Chlamydia diagnoses in GUM clinics in the South East Coast SHA in 2007 
			   Number of chlamydia diagnoses  Rate of chlamydia diagnoses (per 100,000 population) 
			 Male 3,311 160.9 
			 Female 3,148 143.7 
			 Total 6,459 152.0 
			  Notes: 1. The data available from the KC60 statutory returns are for diagnoses made in GUM clinics only. Diagnoses made in other clinical settings, such as general practice, are not recorded in the KC60 dataset. 2. The data available from the KC60 statutory returns are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. 3. The information provided has been adjusted for missing clinic data.  Source: Health Protection Agency, KC60 returns 
		
	
	In addition to the diagnosis of chlamydia in GUM clinics, the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) provides screening for chlamydia to asymptomatic people aged under 25 years of age in England. The NCSP was launched in 2003. Information on the proportion of people diagnosed with chlamydia through the NCSP in the South East Coast SHA broken down by PCT for April 2008 to September 2008, the latest date for which figures are available, is published in NHS Vital Signs 2008/9Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Strategic Health Authority (SHA) specific tables 1st April 2008 to 30th September 2008. A copy of the tables have been placed in the Library.

Contaminated Blood and Blood Products Inquiry

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 675-76W, on contaminated blood and blood products inquiry, how many of the documents discovered in unregistered files and subsequently withheld from release under exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 were also withheld from release from the documents returned to his Department's solicitors in May 2006 by Blackett, Hart and Pratt.

Dawn Primarolo: Around 4,500 documents were discovered in unregistered files, and 35 were withheld from release under exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as set out in my answer of 30 June 2008,  Official Report, column 652W. One document was withheld from release from around 600 documents returned by a firm of private solicitors. The one document withheld from those returned by private solicitors was also among those withheld from documents found in unregistered files. The document was withheld under section 40 (personal information) of the Freedom of Information Act.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account his Department is taking in its policy on testing for vCJD infection amongst at-risk groups of the recent completion of the trial of the EP-vCJD(TM) test by Amorfix Life Sciences in collaboration with the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Advice on the use of this test will be sought from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs and from the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Incidents Panel when additional independent ongoing studies are completed.

Departmental Air Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many journeys  (a) he and his predecessors and  (b) his officials made by aeroplane in the course of their duties in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: Travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the 'Ministerial Code' and the 'Civil Service Management Code' respectively.
	The number of aeroplane journeys undertaken by the Secretary of State and his predecessors over the last five years is:
	
		
			  Period  Number 
			 July 2004 to March 2005 3 
			 April 2005 to March 2006 8 
			 April 2006 to March 2007 13 
			 April 2007 to March 2008 3 
			 April 2008 to December 2008 2 
		
	
	Numbers of aeroplane journeys for officials are not easily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Languages

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) Ministers and  (b) civil servants in his Department received coaching in a foreign language in the last 12 months; what expenditure his Department incurred in providing such coaching; and in what languages such coaching was provided.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not hold central records of expenditure on foreign language classes, either for Ministers or for its employees. Any survey to gather the relevant information could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Marketing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on advertising in the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: In the last 12 months, (1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008 inclusive), the Department has spent a total of 35,907,558 on advertising. This includes advertising on major public health and social care campaigns including tobacco control, sexual health, alcohol awareness, substance abuse support and advice, vaccination programmes and recruitment to social care work.
	For the majority of staff in the Department, recruitment costs including advertising, are paid for locally by the business units that carried out the recruiting, and to gather the information from local sources would incur a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what expert advisers have been commissioned by his Department and its agencies since 1997; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the adviser so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department and its agencies commission a wide range of expert advisers from relevant fields to provide clinical and scientific input to their work.
	Information is not held centrally and, given the time period, to collect it would incur disproportionate cost. Information about experts commissioned to provide professional or technical advice as members of advisory committees, boards and advisory public bodies would again incur disproportionate cost to collect.
	Information about specific bodies can be found at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/HowDHWorks/BoardsandCommittees/index.htm
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/OrganisationsthatworkwithDH/index.htm
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/OrganisationsthatworkwithDH/Armslengthbodies/index.htm.
	Information about the 310 committees of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory products Authority (MHRA) can be found at:
	www.mhra.gov.uk/Committees/index.htm.
	Information about special advisers, who are political appointees and advise on political, presentational and policy issues, has been announced to the Commons on an annual basis since 2003, usually in July.
	All members of committees and advisory public bodies of the Department and its agencies are subject to the rules and procedures of the Appointments Commission including the requirement to declare any political activity.

Departmental Telephone Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what use  (a) his Department and  (b) service providers under contract to his Department make of (i) 0844 and 0845 telephone numbers and (ii) revenue-sharing telephone numbers for calls from members of the public; for which services such numbers are used; what prefixes are used for revenue-sharing numbers; how much revenue has accrued from revenue-sharing numbers in each of the last five years; what consideration his Department has given to introducing 03-prefixed telephone numbers for calls to all such services; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department runs or supports the following 0845 telephone numbers.
	
		
			   Telephone numbers 
			 EHIC Order Line 0845 605 0707 
			 EHIC enquiry line 0845 606 2030 
			 Healthy Start 0845 607 6823 
			 Healthy Start Minicom 0845 601 7698 
			 Social Work and Care Careers Recruitment Line 0845 604 6404 
			 Social Work and Care Careers Recruitment Minicom 0845 601 6121 
		
	
	The 0845 numbers serving recruitment for social care and social workers will be moved over to the new 0300 tariff by the end of February. The use of 0845 numbers for the other services is currently under review.
	The Department ran the following non-revenue generating lines, using 0870 numbers. While they were mainly for the use of national health service and social services professional there was some use by the public. Since May 2008, these services have been available via 0300 numbers but the 0870 numbers needs to be maintained until the end of March 2009 to allow for the transition.
	
		
			   Telephone numbers 
			 Department of Health Publication Order line 08701 555 455 
			 Department of Health Publication Order line minicom 08700 102 870 
		
	
	The Department's Executive agencies, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency have no 0845 or similar cost telephone numbers for use by the public.
	The Department does not centrally hold information on the telephone numbers used by the NHS.
	The Department has 24 arm's length bodies and a number of national programmes e.g. NHS Employers. Information about telephone services for these bodies is not held centrally and cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.
	The Department also grants funds to a wide range of voluntary and charitable organisations to provide services relating to health and healthy living. Some of these organisations include telephone helplines as part of their services. It is not possible, without incurring disproportionate cost, to identify individual projects with telephones services and whether 0845 telephone numbers are used.
	In February 2005, my right hon. Friend the Member for Barrow and Furness (Mr. Hutton), then Minister of State for Health announced a ban on the NHS using premium rate telephone numbers such as 0870.
	We recently launched a public consultation on the intention to prohibit the use of 084 numbers in the NHS. This will run from 16 December 2008 until 31 March 2009.

Direct Payments

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to increasing the safeguards for people who lack capacity and have their direct payments managed on their behalf by a suitable person to a level which matches those for people who manage their own direct payments.

Phil Hope: Consultation on draft regulations in respect of the provisions in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to extend direct payments to people lacking capacity has now closed and comments are currently being considered.
	The draft regulations set out specific and robust conditions which a local authority must ensure can be met by the suitable person to whom it is making direct payments on behalf of the person lacking capacity. Before making any payment, the local authority must be satisfied that the appointed suitable person is capable of managing the direct payment and that in all circumstances it is appropriate for he or she to do so. In particular, the suitable person is required at all times to act in the best interests of the person lacking capacity, within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
	The suitable person must provide any information to the local authority as it sees fit, including notifying the local authority whenever they believe that the direct payment beneficiary has regained capacity. Local authorities will be under a duty to carry out regular reviews to ensure that making a direct payment in this way meets the needs and serves the best interests of the person lacking capacity.
	Practice guidance will be published alongside the regulations to support local authorities to take appropriate safeguarding measures and therefore ensure that people lacking capacity are also able to benefit from direct payments.

Doctors: Children

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) named and  (b) designated doctor posts in charge of child safety in primary care trusts are vacant.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.

Down's Syndrome

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of Down's syndrome.

Phil Hope: The Department does not single out any condition when raising awareness around learning disability, although the Department recognises the excellent awareness work carried out by third sector groups, which support people with Down's syndrome and their families.
	We have published today the Valuing People Now Strategy and Delivery Plan which will address people with learning disabilities having control over their lives and services, including what people do during the day, how they can be supported to access jobs, housing, better healthcare and making sure that change happens. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library.

Elderly: Abuse

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 144W, on elderly: abuse, which local authority reported in each of the 15 serious case reviews; and for each such authority how many serious case reviews there have been in each of the last four years.

Phil Hope: The serious case review reports and reports that were similar in nature but were not titled serious case reviews, were considered on a confidential basis. Local councils took part, on the agreement and understanding that the names of the councils involved and the reports not in the public domain would remain anonymous. The Department must therefore respect this arrangement. All participants in this research were assured of anonymity.

Exercise

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's recommendation is for the amount of exercise people should take each week.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department's recommendations on the amount of exercise people should take each week reflect the Chief Medical Officer's views, set out in the report At least five a week: Evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health published in April 2004. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	Children and young people should achieve a total of at least 60 minutes of at least moderate intensity physical activity each day. At least twice a week this should include activities to improve bone health (activities that produce high physical stresses on the bones), muscle strength and flexibility.
	For general health benefit, adults should achieve a total of at least 30 minutes a day of at least moderate intensity physical activity on five or more days of the week.

Family Nurse Partnership Programme

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the family nurse partnership programme.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on the 9 December 2008,  Official Report, column 71W.

General Practitioners: Pharmacy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons he decided not to implement proposals for changes to arrangements for GP dispensing.

Phil Hope: As I announced on 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 952, the decision that there would be no change to the current arrangements for dispensing by general practitioners followed the consultation on the Pharmacy White Paper Building on Strengths Delivering the Future - proposals for legislative changewhich closed on 20 November 2008.
	An option contained in the consultation paper was to make no changes to current arrangements. Ultimately, in reaching that decision, we took account of the strength of the responses we received on the various options for amending the criteria for dispensing by doctors, the views of those attending the listening events, and views expressed at meetings with departmental officials.

General Practitioners: Pharmacy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to  (a) increase the role that pharmacists play in patient safety and  (b) improve communications between primary care trusts and local pharmacy committees.

Phil Hope: In the White Paper Pharmacy in England: Building on strengths - delivering the future, the Government stated that they consider that chief pharmacists of provider organisations, primary care trusts (PCTs) and other commissioners should have the lead role in ensuring that safe medication practices are embedded in patient care. To support this, and at the request of the Department, the National Patient Safety Agency hosted an event for senior pharmacists. This took place in London on 15 October 2008. The primary outcomes from the event were agreement by senior pharmacists to take on this role and the establishment of a virtual medicines safety forum where best practice can be shared. The White Paper also announced the appointment of two National Clinical Directors in pharmacy. Now in post, the National Clinical Directors will champion safe use of medicines as part of supporting the implementation of the pharmacy White Paper.
	Communications between PCTs and local pharmacy committees are typically part of the role of PCT pharmaceutical advisers and chief pharmacists. The pharmacy National Clinical Directors will take opportunities to help improve communications between PCTs and local pharmacy committees where this is necessary. NHS Employers has been commissioned by the Department to convene and lead a working group of pharmacy, medical and public representatives to formulate a series of actions to promote more effective professional relationships. This work is ongoing.

General Practitioners: Telephone Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP surgeries use 0844 and 0845 telephone numbers for calls from members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not hold this information centrally and it cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. However the Department remains clear that it does not expect patients to pay more than the equivalent cost of a local rate call when contacting their general practitioner.
	We recently launched a public consultation on the intention to prohibit the use of 084 numbers in the national health service. This will run from 16 December 2008 until 31 March 2009.

General Practitioners: Telephone Services

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of 0844 numbers by GPs' surgeries; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: An information gathering exercise was completed in 2008 on the use of 084 telephone numbers in general practice. The information gathered was the subject of lengthy and detailed analysis before being shared with Ministers.
	The Department subsequently launched a public consultation on the intention to prohibit the use of 084 numbers in the national health service. This will run from 16 December 2008 until 31 March 2009.

Health Centres: Christchurch

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made since 21 July 2008 in the disposal of his interest in the former NHS health centre in Saxon Square, Christchurch.

Ben Bradshaw: Negotiations are currently in hand with the landlord for a surrender of the lease at the earliest opportunity.

Health Professions: Career Structure

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of proposals for modernising scientific careers proposals on  (a) the funding of BSc level qualifications and  (b) the number of students opting for a BSc level qualification in healthcare science.

Ann Keen: We do not believe that the modernising scientific careers proposals will have any effect on the funding of BSc level qualifications which are funded by the United Kingdom Higher Education Funding Councils through their block grant to higher education institutions.
	Data are not available to estimate the number of students registered on degree programmes as there is no single degree in healthcare science.

Health Services: Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to announce separate indicative funding allocations for disabled children's services and children's palliative care services in the Child Health Strategy.

Phil Hope: New growth funding is being included in primary care trust (PCT) baseline allocations up to 2010-11 to enable PCTs to work with local authorities to increase the range of services for children with complex needs. Our approach will be set out as part the Child Health Strategy which will be published soon.
	On 19 December 2007, former Health Minister Ivan Lewis wrote a joint letter with Andrew Adonis, the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, to every PCT and local authority in the country that sets out the clear framework of aims and accountability now in place to improve the capacity, range and quality of services for children with disabilities and complex health needs.

Health Services: Surveys

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish his Department's review of customer experience information in health and social care.

Phil Hope: The report relating to the Department's review of customer experience information in health and social care will be published, and we plan to do so in spring 2009.

Heart Diseases: Health Services

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the national service framework on levels of coronary heart disease; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The latest available data on the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is taken from the 'Health Survey for England 2006'. The prevalence rate for men in that year had dropped to just over 6 per cent. compared with over 7 per cent. in both 1998 and 2003. Comparable figures for women were just under 3 per cent. in 2006 compared with over 4 per cent. in both 1998 and 2003. The overall trend for both men and women is downwards. A copy of this has been placed in the Library.
	Information about the mortality rate from CHD from 1997 to 2007 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Persons England 
			 1997 159.82 
			 1998 154.79 
			 1999 145.15 
			 2000 136.18 
			 2001 130.05 
			 2002 124.40 
			 2003 119.18 
			 2004 109.40 
			 2005 101.91 
			 2006 94.11 
			 2007 88.98 
			  Notes: 1. Data are based on the original underlying cause of death. 2. Data are based on the latest revisions of Office for National Statistics population estimates for the respective years, current as at 29 September 2008. 3. Indicator: Mortality from coronary heart disease (ICD9 410-414 adjusted, ICD10 120-125): Age Group: All ages Period: 1997-2007 (Annual trends) Scale: Mortality rate per 100,000 European Standard population  Sources: The Information Centre for Health and Social Care.  Crown Copyright. Compendium of Clinical and Health Indicators/Clinical and Health Outcomes Knowledge Base (www.nchod.nhs.uk) National Statistics (Extracts may only be reproduced by permission) 
		
	
	The rate has dropped steadily over the past 10 yearsthis is partly as a result of changes in lifestyle factors (such as reductions in the numbers who smoke) and partly as a result of improvement in treatment and services for heart disease, led since 2000 by the programme set out in the National Service Framework (NSF) for CHD.
	While it is not possible to make a precise attribution between these two factors, research studies indicate that around approximately half of the reduction in mortality results from changes in lifestyle factors and around half to improvements in treatment and services.
	A key target of the NSF is to contribute to the reduction of premature mortality from CHD and other cardiovascular diseases by at least 40 per cent. by 2010. This target was met five years early. The mortality rates fell 40.3 per cent. between 2004-06 over the 1995-97 baseline. This equates to the saving of 31,000 lives when comparing 2006 with 1996.

Hospital Beds

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) cancer networks and  (b) primary care trusts have completed local reviews of in-patient bed usage.

Ann Keen: The electronic Cancer Commissioning Toolkit enables cancer networks and primary care trusts (PCTs) to review current bed utilisation for cancer patients, as set out in the Cancer Reform Strategy. Information on how many networks or PCTs are carrying out such reviews is not collected centrally.

Hospitals

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the location and address of each cleft palate and cleft lip unit is, broken down by health authority.

Ann Keen: The Department does not collect this information centrally.

Hospitals: Disinfectants

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will discourage NHS trusts from procuring quaternary ammonium-based products for use as disinfectants in NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The Department will continue to stress the need to use appropriate disinfectant materials. Choice of disinfectants is a local matter.

Hospitals: Disinfectants

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what criteria his Department uses to decide whether a product is sporicidal; whether his Department has assessed  (a) peracetic acid-based formulas and  (b) quaternary ammonium-based formulas to be sporicidal; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether disinfectant wipes using peracetic acid-based formulas have been proven to be effective against Clostridium difficile; if his Department will encourage NHS trusts to use such wipes as disinfectants in NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Data demonstrating a pass for the British Standard BS EN 13704:2002 test Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas are generally used to establish whether a chemical disinfectant has or does not have sporicidal activity.
	The Department has not made any specific assessments regarding the effectiveness of disinfectant wipes using peracetic acid-based formulas or quaternary ammonium-based formulas against spores.
	The Department is currently commissioning research into the effectiveness of a number of commercial formulations that claim to be sporicidal which may include chlorine, peracetic acid-based and quaternary ammonium-based formulae.
	Existing guidance recommends chlorine based disinfectants that have proven sporicidal activity. The choice of disinfectant products is a local matter. The Department will continue to stress the need to use appropriate disinfectant materials.

Influenza: Vaccination

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to publicise availability of influenza vaccination in  (a) England,  (b) the north-east and  (c) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 16 December 2008,  Official Report, column 682W. The publicity for the seasonal flu campaign carried out by the Department is national, rather than regional.

Injuries: Children

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital admissions resulting from  (a) unintentional and  (b) deliberate injuries to children there were in 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The data for 2006-07 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Cause  Finished admission episodes (age 0-15 inclusive) 
			 Unintended 121,966 
			 Deliberate (intentional self-harm) 7,622 
			 Deliberate (assault) 3,270 
			 Other 606 
			  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics for 2006-07

Learning Disability

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people have been recorded as having a  (a) profound and multiple,  (b) complex and  (c) severe learning disability in each of the last five years; and how many people had a learning disability at the latest date for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much the provision of social care packages for those with  (a) profound and multiple,  (b) complex and  (c) severe learning disabilities cost his Department in each of the last five years;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of people with a learning disability there will be in 2008; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many people with a learning disability recorded as living with parents over the ages of  (a) 60,  (b) 70 and  (c) 80 years there were in each of the last 10 years;
	(5)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of people with a learning disability who will be living with parents aged over  (a) 60,  (b) 70 and  (c) 80 years in 2028.

Phil Hope: The Department does not routinely collect data for:
	the number of people who have been recorded as having profound and multiple, complex and severe learning disabilities;
	the number of people and cost of provision of social care packages for those with profound and multiple, complex and severe learning disabilities;
	the number of people who have learning disabilities; and
	the number of people with learning disabilities who are living with parents over the ages of 60, 70 and 80.
	The Department does not collect this data as it is for local authorities to work with local partners to determine the numbers and needs of their population through the joint strategic needs assessment. Local authorities should hold details of adults known to services and their level of need.
	The Department is introducing a directed enhanced service to reward general practitioners for providing annual health checks for people with learning disabilities known to local authorities so they may keep data about these people in the future.

Learning Disability

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much each local authority spent on  (a) community-based care and  (b) residential care for people with a learning disability in each of the last five financial years.

Phil Hope: The information has been placed in the Library.

Mental Health Services

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the document, New Horizons for Mental Health Commissioning.

Phil Hope: We envisage that the New Horizons strategy framework will be ready for consultation in summer 2009.

Mental Health Services

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve choice and information for people with depression and anxiety.

Phil Hope: The Department is committed to giving people with mental health problems choice, where possible, and a more personalised service, including making more information available about mental illness to help people manage their own care.
	People with depression and anxiety are eligible to receive all National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence-approved (NICE) psychological therapies, including guided self-help, counselling, computerised cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural activation and exercise.
	We are increasing the availability of these services in primary care through the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (IAPT). IAPT aims to help primary care trusts implement NICE guidelines and improve access to psychological therapies in England for people with depression or anxiety disorders. It is supported by a significant national investment rising to 173 million by 2010-11. Our plan is to have trained 3,600 more therapists who will help to provide 900,000 more people with access to psychological therapies by 2010-11.

Mental Health: Economic Recession

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the impact of economic recessions on levels of mental health.

Phil Hope: The Department has not commissioned research on the impact of the economic recessions on levels of mental health. However, we recognise that there are links between poor mental health and difficult economic circumstances and, in the current climate it is understandable that people might worry more about their finances and employment. Mental health services in England are now better prepared than ever before to provide help for people with mental health problems.
	Since 2001-02, real terms investment in adult mental health services increased by 44 per cent. (or 1.7 billion) putting in place the services and staff needed to transform mental health services. The national health service spent 5.53 billion on these services in 2007-08 (3.844 billion in 2001-02).
	We now have 64 per cent. more consultant psychiatrists, 71 per cent. more clinical psychologists and 21 per cent. more mental health nurses than we had in 1997, providing better care and support for people with mental health problems. (Full-time equivalent).
	Because of the National Service Framework and increased funding, we now have over 740 new community mental health teams offering home treatment, early intervention, or intensive support for people who might otherwise have been admitted to hospital.
	Further, we are investing significantly in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme with annual funding rising to 173 million in the third year (2010-11), to train 3,600 extra therapists and treat 900,000 more people in those three years.
	This programme is relieving distress and transforming lives by offering effective intervention and treatment choice to people with depression and anxiety disorders and improving the collection, recording and measuring of patients' health outcomes.
	There were 35 new services launched last month, with more than 800 therapy workers now offering this support to people who need it.

Neonatal Mortality

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) assisted into unexplained neonatal mortality.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department funds national health service research and development through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Three of the NIHR's biomedical research centres are undertaking research into cot and infant death.
	In addition, the NIHR clinical research network is supporting a number of potentially relevant studies. Details are available on the network's portfolio database at:
	www.ukcrn.org.uk/index/clinical/portfolio_new.html.
	The Department's Policy Research Programme (PRP) funds the National Epidemiology Unit and the British Paediatric Unit. A significant part of the work of these units is concerned with aspects of neonatal and infant mortality. The PRP is also funding research into the relationship between outdoor air pollution and infant mortality.

Neonatal Mortality

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Confidential Inquiry into Maternal and Child Health has further to review how it determines the  (a) number of babies who are stillborn and  (b) levels of neonatal mortality.

Ann Keen: Confidential Inquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) produces an annual national report covering perinatal mortality, which includes stillbirths and neonatal deaths to 28 days of life and feedback reports for every strategic health authority and provider trust with a maternity unit.
	A major development in respect of stillbirth reporting has been a new system for classifying cause of death and the associated data collection form, introduced earlier this year. The first national reports using this new data will be available from April 2010.
	In addition, for neonatal mortality, the annual national report for 2007, which CEMACH expects to publish in May 2009, will contain a focus section on neonatal mortality. This will provide new quantitative data on:
	variations in neonatal mortality stratified by the level of neonatal care provided;
	neonatal transfers and mortality;
	neonatal mortality and place of birth; and
	neonatal mortality and time of first booking for antenatal care and the UK position on international comparisons on neonatal mortality.
	CEMACH is also developing comparative analysis on neonatal mortality for 2007 for each of the new local safeguarding children boards.

NHS: Buildings

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what average percentage of the occupied floor area of  (a) each NHS trust's buildings and  (b) all NHS trusts' buildings in England were in physical condition (i) C and (ii) D in each year since 1996-97.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The Department collects data on the percentage of occupied floor area that is below Estatecode condition B annually from national health service trusts through its Estates Return Information Collection (ERIC). These data are not amended centrally and therefore their accuracy is the responsibility of the contributing NHS organisations.
	The percentage of the occupied floor area that is below Estatecode condition B has been collected since 2001-02. The information relating to 2001-02 onwards has been placed in the Library.
	NHS organisations are locally responsible for the provision and maintenance of their buildings and facilities.

NHS: Disclosure of Information

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on whistle blowing policy in relation to individuals working in child protection in the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children, updated in 2006, requires all organisations that provide services for, or work with, children, to have appropriate whistleblowing procedures, and a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children to be addressed. National health service employers have issued general guidance on whistleblowing within the NHS and this can be found on their website.

NHS: Exchange Rates

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect of recent sterling exchange rate changes on the cost of  (a) medical,  (b) surgical equipment and  (c) pharmaceutical supplies;
	(2)  what drugs and healthcare products are imported for use by the NHS; and on which products exchange rate changes affect prices;
	(3)  what percentage in cost terms of the products purchased by  (a) his Department,  (b) the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency,  (c) NHS and primary care trusts and  (d) regional procurement hubs are imported on which currency exchange rates will have an effect on price;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the likely effects of recent exchange rate changes on the savings targets of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is not collected in the format requested and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

NHS: Exchange Rates

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact of recent exchange rate changes on the overseas activities of  (a) his Department and  (b) the NHS;
	(2)  what steps  (a) his Department and  (b) the NHS is taking to mitigate the possible effects of foreign exchange movements on their budgets; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what  (a) his Department's and  (b) the NHS's current corporate planning assumption rates are regarding foreign exchange movements;
	(4)  what net effect foreign exchange movements had on  (a) his Department's and  (b) the NHS's budget in each year since 2001-02.

Ben Bradshaw: Most of the budgets of the Department and the national health service are not directly affected by foreign exchange rate movements.
	The NHS has negligible foreign currency income and expenditure and therefore is not exposed to significant foreign currency risk.
	Although the Department itself pays for some goods and services in foreign currency, these are minimal enough not to need mitigating action. The Department also receives hardly any income in foreign currency.
	Aside from goods and services, the Department is required to make some other payments in foreign currency. In order to mitigate the foreign currency risk on these payments, as the exact amount and timing of the payment is known, the Department purchases forward rate agreements with the Bank of England. In all other cases, a spot exchange rate is used.
	There are no foreign currency movements in the Department's Resource Accounts as relevant provisions and liabilities in the balance sheet at the year-end are converted at the forward contract rate.

NHS: Exchange Rates

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what  (a) his Department's and  (b) the NHS's forecast (i) net euro and (ii) net US dollar exposure is in 2008-09; what it was in 2007-08; and what revisions were made to those forecasts in light of foreign exchange movements.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has negligible foreign currency income. Its expenditure in foreign currency during 2007-08 was 1,038 million and US$ 30 million.
	Forecast outturn for 2008-09 is 826 million and US$ 30 million. This is based on having forward rate agreements in place to cover known foreign currency payments. Other payments could be made in 2008-09 using the prevailing spot rate but these are dependent on demand.
	The national health service has negligible foreign currency income or expenditure and therefore not affected by foreign exchange rate movements.

NHS: Fees and Charges

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to allow independent sector treatment centres to receive subsidies over the NHS tariff when contracts currently in place expire.

Ben Bradshaw: As independent sector treatment centre contracts come to an end, local national health service commissioners are best placed to make decisions about health services in their communities. The Department will work with local commissioners to assess the best course of action to ensure that the needs of patients continue to be met.

NHS: Telephone Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department's consultation on the use of 084 numbers within the NHS is expected to cost.

Ben Bradshaw: The total costs for undertaking this consultation will only be known once the consultation is completed and all associated costs have been compiled. Final costs will depend on the actual level of demand for consultation documents during the consultation period and the associated print and distribution costs.

NHS: Telephone Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS Direct uses 0844 and 0845 telephone numbers for calls from members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The NHS Direct telephone advice service currently operates on 0845 4647. As set out in the NHS Next Stage Review final report, published 30 June 2008, officials are currently considering options for the introduction of a new three digit telephone number to help people find the right local service to meet their urgent, unplanned care needs. Any subsequent decision to introduce such a number, including tariff options, would be subject to public consultation, undertaken by Ofcom under the Communications Act 2003. NHS Direct will retain its current 084 number until we are clear about any future role and function it may have in implementing a national three digit number for urgent care.
	Additionally, NHS Direct is commissioned to provide local services on behalf of primary care trusts and other organisations. NHS Direct provides telephone numbers with prefixes including:
	0845;
	0800;
	01;
	02; and
	03.
	In accordance with Centre of Information guidance, NHS Direct does not directly or indirectly receive revenue for the use of any 0845 numbers.

NHS: Temporary Employment

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts the NHS has awarded to agency staff in each year since 1997; what the cost of these contracts was; and if he will estimate the annual cost of each contract had it been awarded to in-house NHS providers in each year since 1997.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Parliamentary Questions: Government Responses

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy when placing material in the Library in response to a parliamentary question to supply a copy of the material to the hon. Member who tabled the question; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: It is our practice to always supply a copy to the hon. Member. If one has been inadvertently missed, we will be pleased to supply a copy.

Patients: Safety

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were harmed as a result of an error or missed diagnosis in  (a) Hemel Hempstead,  (b) Hertfordshire and  (c) England in the last 12 months.

Ann Keen: For the period from July 2007 to June 2008, the National Patient Safety Agency received 2,300 reports where patients were harmed due to patient safety incidents classified as diagnostic delay, failure or error.
	There were 171 of these incidents reported from East of England Strategic Health Authority. Reporting and learning data are collected on the basis of National Health Service service providers. it is therefore not possible to provide a breakdown of data to constituency level.

Physiologists

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health care science disciplines his Department classifies as falling within the field of physiological science; and which of these require statutory registration of practitioners.

Ann Keen: The disciplines which fall within the field of physiological science are as follows:
	Audiology;
	Autonomic neurovascular function;
	Cardiac physiology;
	Clinical perfusion;
	Critical care technology;
	Gastrointestinal physiology;
	Hearing therapy;
	Neurophysiology;
	Ophthalmology;
	Respiratory physiology;
	Sleep physiology;
	Urodynamics and urological measurements;
	Vascular technology; and
	Vision science.
	Five aspirant health care science groups have already been recommended to the Secretary of State for Health for statuary regulation. These are as follows:
	Clinical physiologists, consisting of audiologists, cardiac physiologists, gastrointestinal physiologists, neurophysiologists and respiratory physiologists;
	Clinical perfusionists;
	Clinical technologists;
	Clinical photographers; and
	Maxillofacial prosthetic technologists.
	The Future of the Healthcare Science Workforce Modernising Scientific Careers: The Next Steps A Consultation published in November 2008 makes clear that proposals for a new regulatory framework for the totality of the health care science work force will be consulted upon and all matters relating to the regulation of the five aspirant groups will be resolved as part of this separate consultation. A copy of the consultation has already been placed in the Library.

Prescriptions

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance his Department provides to social care establishments on obtaining repeat prescriptions of a controlled drug;
	(2)  on how many occasions a report has been made to the Commission for Social Care Inspection of an incident involving overdose with a controlled drug of a resident in a care establishment in each of the last three years;
	(3)  what procedure is followed by the Commission for Social Care Inspection when an incident of overdose with a controlled drug of a resident in a care establishment is reported to them.

Phil Hope: Regulations do not allow for schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs to be provided through a repeat prescription, but schedule 4 and 5 controlled drugs may be provided. Guidance to care providers, entitled The handling of medicines in social care is published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB). This includes guidance about obtaining prescribed medicines in general; it is not specific to controlled drugs. It also includes general information about the use of controlled drugs in care services.
	Regulation 13 of the Care Homes Regulations 2001 requires registered providers to make arrangements for the recording, handling and, safe keeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the care home. This applies to all medicines, including controlled drugs. The National Minimum Standards (NMS) contain detailed requirements, governing the protection of service users, the safe receipt, administration, recording, storage and disposal of medicines in the home. Controlled drugs are specifically referred to in the NMS, which also refer providers to the RPSGB Guidance, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Misuse of Drugs (Safe Custody) Regulations 1973 and other relevant legislation.
	The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) does not provide specific guidance to care providers about repeat prescriptions for controlled drugs. During regulatory inspections, CSCI looks for a robust procedure within a care home to request repeat prescriptions residents, irrespective of whether they are for controlled drugs. Failure to obtain prescribed medicines, or occasions when a care service orders more prescriptions than a person needsfor example when the medicines are prescribed for use as and when needed it would be identified to the registered provider/manager and included in the inspection report.
	CSCI's most recent guidance on reports about serious incidents in care homes includes a requirement to report every error involving a controlled drug. However, these are identified to individual services and are not collated nationally. CSCI pharmacist inspectors look at the handling of controlled drugs in the services they visit. CSCI recently carried out an analysis of its findings between April and December 2008; overdose was not an issue identified as a problem area.
	If a serious incident is reported to CSCI under regulation 37 of the Care Homes Regulations, which governs notification of death, illness and other events in care homes, it is followed up by the Regulation Inspector/Regulation Manager associated with that service. Depending on circumstances, they may refer the issue to the pharmacist inspector. It is one of CSCI's referral criteria to contact a pharmacist inspector and this may result in inspection of the care home and a resulting report with requirements and recommendations. If the overdose is a result of an incorrect prescription from the general practitioner, the pharmacist inspector will liaise via the Local Intelligence Network through the NHS Accountable Officer at the relevant primary acre trust, who will deal with the issue.

Primary Care Trusts: Per Capita Costs

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he expects each primary care trust to spend per head of population in 2008-09, ranked from highest to lowest.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is not available until primary care trusts complete their 2008-09 audited accounts in summer 2009.

Primary Care Trusts: Standards

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Healthcare Commission's annual healthcheck for 2008-09 will include an assessment of primary care trust performance as providers and commissioners against National Institute for Heath and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines.

Ben Bradshaw: The 2008-09 Annual Health Check incorporates primary care trusts' self-declarations, as providers and commissioners, on levels of compliance with the following core standards in relation to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence:
	Core Standard C3 Healthcare organisations protect patients by following National Health Institute for Clinical Excellence Interventional Procedures guidance; and
	Core Standard C5a Healthcare organisations ensure that they conform to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence technology appraisals and, where it is available, take into account nationally agreed guidance when planning and delivering treatment and care.

Respite Care: Havering

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the 150 million funding awarded by his Department for respite to carers will be allocated to the London Borough of Havering.

Phil Hope: The 150 million funding announced in the Carers' Strategy is included in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 primary care trust (PCT) revenue allocations, announced on 8 December 2008. This money will go to all PCTs and will support all carers. The actual level of spend in each year is for PCTs to decide locally in the light of their local circumstances and priorities, as set out in the NHS Operating Framework and Vital Signs.

Shingles

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent meetings he and his officials have had to discuss prevention of shingles and post herpetic neuralgia in older people through immunisation.

Dawn Primarolo: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is currently in the process of considering the benefits of shingles vaccination. The Varicella subgroup met in December 2007 and April 2008 and is due to meet again in March 2009. The subgroup is expected to provide advice on shingles vaccination to JCVI in June 2009. Minutes of the meetings are placed on the JCVI website at:
	www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/jcvi/index.htm

Smoking

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of regular smokers in  (a) Stroud constituency,  (b) Gloucestershire and  (c) England; and how many people have given up smoking in each area over the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available in the exact format requested. Data for Stroud constituency are not collected. Data for England, Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and South Gloucestershire PCT are available.
	Information on the prevalence of smoking among adults aged 16 and over by gender and age group in England is available from the General Household Survey 2006, Table 1.1, page 15. This publication has already been placed in the Library.
	Estimated prevalence of smokers among adults aged 16 and over, along with associated confidence intervals for Gloucestershire PCT and South Gloucestershire PCT are available from Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours: Model Based Estimates, 2003-2005. 2006 Health Hierarchy. This publication has been placed in the Library.
	Information on the number of people who successfully quit smoking at the four week follow up (based on self report) in South Gloucestershire PCT, Gloucestershire PCT and England in the last year 2007-08 are available from the Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services: England, April 2007 to March 2008, Table 2.4, page 11 at national level and Table 3.5, pages 28-30 at PCT level. This publication has already been placed in the Library.

Social Services: Elderly and Disabled

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to assist social workers in protecting the elderly and disabled.

Phil Hope: The protection of older, disabled and other people who use services is covered by the National Occupational Standards for Social Work, which form the basis for the social work degree.
	Statutory guidance, entitled No Secrets, was issued to local authorities (LAs) by the Department and the Home Office in 2000. A copy has been placed in the Library. It provides a complete definition of abuse and a framework for councils to work with the police, the national health service and regulators to tackle abuse of older and vulnerable people and prevent it from occurring. It is designed to help LAs to investigate reports of abuse and develop measures for prevention.
	No Secrets is currently being reviewed and a public consultation is under way. The consultation document includes a question on the delivery of training in safeguarding adults and asks whether national occupational training standards should be introduced. The consultation closes on 31 January 2009.

Tuberculosis: Ashford Kent

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many instances of tuberculosis have been recorded in Ashford constituency in each quarter of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Data are not available for the constituency of Ashford. The following table gives the number of tuberculosis cases in the local authority of Ashford as the closest measure, for the calendar years 2001 to 2006.
	
		
			   Ashford  local authority 
			 2001 5 
			 2002 5 
			 2003 7 
			 2004 5 
			 2005 5 
			 2006 7 
			  Notes:  1. Data by local authority are not yet available for 2007 or 2008.  2. In years when there have been fewer than five cases, the exact number of cases is not given because of the risk of deductive disclosure.  3. Data are not provided by quarter because the numbers of cases in each quarter is likely to be very low (fewer than five) and could not be released because of the risk of deductive disclosure.

Wheelchairs

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes he plans to the weight limits applying to the classification of wheelchairs in  (a) class one and  (b) class two. [R]

Paul Clark: holding answer 15 January 2009
	I have been asked to reply.
	We have no plans to change the weight limits applying to class one and class two wheelchairs at this time.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) prosecutions and  (b) convictions there were for the offences of (i) drunkenness simple and (ii) drunkenness with aggravation in 2007.

Jacqui Smith: Data showing the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for drunkenness simple and drunkenness with aggravation in England and Wales in 2007 are in the table.
	The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Data showing the number of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs) issued for Drunk and disorderly, Drunk in a highway and Consumption of alcohol in a designated public place are also shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for drunkenness simple and drunkenness with aggravation, and the number of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs) issued for drunk and disorderly( 1)  drunk in a highway( 2)  and consumption of alcohol in a designated public place( 2) , England and Wales, 2007( 3,4) 
			  Offence  Proceeded against  Found guilty  PNDs issued 
			 Drunkenness simple 1,646 1,446 n/a 
			 Drunkenness with aggravation 18,199 15,975 n/a 
			 Drunk and disorderly (1) (1) 46,996 
			 Drunk in a highway (2) (2) 2,066 
			 Consumption of alcohol in a designated public place (2) (2) 1,544 
			 n/a = Not applicable. (1) Included in the data for drunkenness with aggravation. (2) Included in the data for drunkenness simple. (3) These data are on the principal offence basis. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: E and A UnitOffice for Criminal Justice Reform

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Bury St Edmunds of 30 June 2008,  Official Report, column 710WA, on alcoholic drinks: young people, how many penalty notices for disorder for the offence of selling alcohol to a person aged under 18 years were issued to persons aged 16 years and over in England and Wales in 2007, broken down by police force area; and how many such notices remain unpaid.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 18 December 2009
	Data showing the number of penalty notices for disorder issued for the offence of Selling alcohol to a person aged under 18 broken down into numbers paid, court hearing requests and fine registered in England and Wales, in 2007 by police force area are in the following table.
	The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	
		
			  Number of penalty notices for disorder paid in full( 1)  and unpaid( 2)  relating to all persons aged 16 and over, for the offence of Selling alcohol to a person aged under 18 by police force area and outcome, England and Wales, 2007( 3, 4) 
			  Force  Number paid  in full( 1)  Total unpaid( 2) 
			 Avon and Somerset 54 6 
			 Bedfordshire 12 1 
			 Cambridgeshire 21 1 
			 Cheshire 24 2 
			 Cleveland 57 8 
			 Cumbria 38 2 
			 Derbyshire 79 22 
			 Devon and Cornwall 62 7 
			 Dorset 34 1 
			 Durham 24 1 
			 Essex 104 7 
			 Gloucestershire 80 6 
			 Greater Manchester 126 15 
			 Hampshire 185 20 
			 Hertfordshire 60 7 
			 Humberside 81 17 
			 Kent 19 4 
			 Lancashire 154 36 
			 Leicestershire 127 23 
			 Lincolnshire 46 8 
			 London, City of 0 0 
			 Merseyside 148 27 
			 Metropolitan Police 270 71 
			 Norfolk 28 8 
			 Northamptonshire 18 4 
			 Northumbria 56 11 
			 North Yorkshire 20 5 
			 Nottinghamshire 136 32 
			 South Yorkshire 132 27 
			 Staffordshire 60 7 
			 Suffolk 17 3 
			 Surrey 63 9 
			 Sussex 99 20 
			 Thames Valley 117 14 
			 Warwickshire 34 3 
			 West Mercia West 34 2 
			 Midlands West 120 15 
			 Yorkshire 137 24 
			 Wiltshire 22 2 
			 Dyfed-Powys 19 1 
			 Gwent 61 10 
			 North Wales 50 13 
			 South Wales 46 7 
			 England  Wales 3,074 509 
			 (1) Includes PNDs paid in full within 21 days and paid in full outside 21 days. (2 )Includes PNDs fine registered, these cancelled, those where a court hearing has been requested, those for potential prosecution and those where the outcome is unknown (3 )Includes the following statute and corresponding offence description  Sale of alcohol anywhere to a person under 18. s. 146(1) of the Licensing Act 2003 (4 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of people aged 10 to 17 years for being drunk and disorderly there were in  (a) Stockport metropolitan borough,  (b) Greater Manchester and  (c) the North West in each year since 1997.

Alan Campbell: The number of persons aged 10 to 17 years proceeded against at magistrates courts for being drunk and disorderly in the Greater Manchester police force area and the north west region, from 1997 to 2007, the latest available, are given in table 1.
	The statistics for those persons proceeded against relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Available information on the number penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) issued to persons aged 16 to 17 for being drunk and disorderly are given in table 2 from 2004, when the scheme commenced, to 2007.
	Court proceedings and PND data collected centrally are available at police force area level only; therefore data for Stockport metropolitan borough cannot be supplied.
	
		
			  Table 1: The number of persons aged 10 to 17 proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences of being drunk and disorderly( 1 ) in the Greater Manchester police force area and the north west region( 2) ,  1997 to 2007( 3, 4) 
			   Greater Manchester police force area  North west region 
			   Persons aged 10-17 
			 1997 55 556 
			 1998 65 489 
			 1999 62 501 
			 2000 106 587 
			 2001 93 580 
			 2002 77 554 
			 2003 67 568 
			 2004 47 416 
			 2005 25 230 
			 2006 21 252 
			 2007 31 344 
			 (1 )Data includes the following offence descriptions and corresponding statutes:  Being found drunk in a highway or other public place, whether a building or not, or on licensed premisesLicensing Act 1872, section 12;  Being guilty while drunk of disorderly behaviourCriminal Justice Act 1967, section 91. (2 )Includes, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside police force areas. (3 )These data are on the principal offence basis. (4 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Office for Criminal Justice ReformEvidence and Analysis Unit. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: The number of penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) issued to persons aged 16 to 17 years for offences of being drunk and disorderly in the Greater Manchester police force area and the north west region( 1) , 2004( 2)  to 2007( 3) . 
			   Greater Manchester police force area  North west region 
			   Persons aged 16 to 17 years 
			 2004 7 500 
			 2005 45 880 
			 2006 32 940 
			 2007 36 953 
			 (1) Includes, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside police force areas. (2 )Commencement of the PND scheme. (3 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Office for Criminal Justice ReformEvidence and Analysis Unit.

Ali Dizaei

Andrew Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Sir Ian Blair was involved in the decision to suspend Commander Ali Dizaei.

Vernon Coaker: Any questions relating to the suspension of senior officer, other than the chief officer, are a matter for the relevant police authority and the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal provisions are in place to prevent  (a) the preaching of hatred and  (b) incitement to commit criminal acts against the Jewish community in England and Wales; how many persons have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of offences under such provisions in each of the last two years for which figures are available, broken down by (A) age of offender, (B) sex of offender and (C) police force area of charge; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: The use of threatening words with the intention of stirring up religious hatred constitutes an offence under the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 and would apply in the case of such threats used in respect of the Jewish community.
	Section 18 of the Public Order Act 1986 which relates to stirring up hatred on racial grounds would also apply, as Jews are considered to be a racial group. This section states that a person who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words commits an offence if he intends to stir up racial hatred, or having regards to all the circumstances, racial hatred is likely to be stirred up thereby.
	In addition, sections 44-46 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 relate to offences of assisting and encouraging crime. These offences can apply in respect of any offence, including those targeted against the Jewish community.
	The statistics collected in relation to these offences do not include information which would allow the separate identification of offences committed against the Jewish community and this detailed breakdown is therefore not available.

Arrests

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested by police for regulatory offences in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not available.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers arrests for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, broken down at a main offence group level, covering categories such as violence against the person, burglary, robbery and drug offences. From these centrally reported data we are not able to identify specific offences from within the main offence groups.

Association of Chief Police Officers

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the corporate status of the Association of Chief Police Officers; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 15 December 2008
	The Home Office is not aware of any representations being made on the corporate status of the Association of Chief Police Officers to the Home Office.

Border and Immigration Agency: Finance

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) income and  (b) expenditure of the Border and Immigration Agency was in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2007-08.

Phil Woolas: The total costs of the Border and Immigration Agency function (known from 2007-08 onwards as the UK Border Agency) for 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 are as follows:
	
		
			  Border and Immigration Agency (known as UK Border Agency  from 2007-08) 
			  000 
			   2005-06  2006-07  200-08 
			  (a) Income 211,165 225,289 306,802 
			  (b) Expenditure 1,728,820 1,688,041 1,725,953

British Nationality

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 30 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 712-14W, on the British Nationality (Honorary Citizenship) Bill, if she will deposit a copy of the letter and attachments in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Charities

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which  (a) charities and  (b) voluntary organisations her Department has provided funding in the last five years; and how much funding was provided to each.

Phil Woolas: The Department's funding of charities and voluntary organisations can not be provided, without incurring disproportionate cost.

Christmas

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on  (a) departmental Christmas parties and  (b) staff entertainment in the last three years.

Phil Woolas: No official funds were used for Christmas parties in the last three years: any parties attended are entirely at the cost of the individual member of staff. Expenditure on staff entertainment is tightly controlled, and is only incurred as part of the Home Office policy on staff reward and recognition, and where it is shown that alternative forms of recognition (such as saying thank you, providing vouchers, or a bonus) have been considered. The Department's accounting system cannot analyse expenditure on reward and recognition by its component parts, without incurring disproportionate cost.
	All Home Office expenditure on rewards and recognition, including staff entertainment, conforms to the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money, and any other guidance as applicable contained within Managing Public Money.
	For the Department's agencies, the Criminal Records Bureau and the Identity and Passport Service's spend could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in her Department work on cohesion related issues; and what forecasts she has made of the cost of employing such staff in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Phil Woolas: Cohesion is a key aspect of the work of many staff in the Home Office; however, there is no central 'Cohesion Team', nor is there a central repository for job specifications.

Crime: Airguns

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes involving airguns took place in each year since 1997.

Alan Campbell: Firearms are taken to be involved in a crime if they are fired, used as a blunt instrument against a person, or used as a threat.
	Available data relate to crimes involving air weapons recorded by the police in England and Wales, from 1997 up to and including 2006-07. These were published in Homicides, Firearms Offences and Intimate Violence 2006/07 and are given in the following table. Data for 2007-08 are being published on 22 January 2009.
	
		
			  Crimes reported by the police in which air weapons were reported to have been used( 1) , England and Wales, 1997 to 2006-07 
			  Recorded crime 
			   Number 
			 1997 7,506 
			 1998-99 8,665 
			 1999-2000 10,103 
			 2000-01 10,227 
			 2001-02 12,377 
			 2002-03(2) 13,822 
			 2003-04 13,756 
			 2004-05(3) 11,825 
			 2005-06 10,439 
			 2006-07 8,839 
			 (1) By being fired, used as a blunt instrument or used as a threat. (2) The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced on 1 April 2002. Figures for some crime categories may have been inflated by this. (3) More explicit guidelines for the classification of weapons introduced on 1 April 2004 may have increased the recording of firearm offences, particularly those committed by imitation weapons.

Crime: Business

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions her Department has had with organisations representing business on the subject of  (a) business crime and  (b) recording business crimes separately.

Alan Campbell: My officials are in regular contact with organisations representing businesses to discuss business crime issues. I chair the National Retail Crime Steering Group and the round table to reduce robbery of cash and valuables in transit, both of which met recently on 12 November 2008. Key members of these groups include organisations representing business (such as the British Retail Consortium, Federation of Small Businesses, and the Association of Convenience Stores) as well as businesses directly affected by these problems. We also regularly discuss fraud issues with APACS (the UK Payments Association) whose members may bear the financial loss caused by cheque and card fraud. The Home Office is currently piloting an initiative to record commercial burglary separately in police recorded crime statistics.
	Emerging findings and lessons will be discussed with members of the National Retail Crime Steering Group later this year.

Crimes of Violence: Betting Shops

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information she holds on the number of betting shop workers subjected to verbal abuse in  (a) England,  (b) the North East,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in the last two years.

Alan Campbell: No information is available centrally relating to the number of verbal attacks on betting shop workers.

Criminal Records Bureau: Standards

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been incorrectly designated as having a criminal conviction by the Criminal Records Bureau since the Bureau's inception.

Meg Hillier: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) strives to achieve the highest levels of accuracy. Their quality control procedures show that they have achieved an accuracy rate for 2006-07 of 99.94 per cent and for 2007-08 is 99.98 per cent. No comparative data is available before these dates.
	The CRB operates a disputes process where applicants can contest information that has been released on their disclosure. In 2007-08, 3,323,251 disclosures were issued, of which 4,931 were disputed and 2,785 were upheld. This equates to 0.0838 per cent. of all disclosure applications.
	A dispute can be upheld for a number of reasons. This can include incorrect recording of the wording of a conviction recorded on PNC; incorrect recording of the disposal of a conviction recorded on PNC; amendments made to the wording of non-conviction information released by the individual police forces; the conviction does not belong to the applicant.
	The CRB cannot provide a figure to determine how many individuals had convictions printed on their disclosures which did not belong to them. This is because an applicant may apply for several disclosures that year and the CRB only records the number of disputes raised.
	The CRB is committed to ensure that it maintains high levels of accuracy and the aforementioned figures show this.

Departmental Catering

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which  (a) food and  (b) drinks suppliers have been used by her Department in each of the last three years; and how much her Department paid to each such supplier in each of those years.

Phil Woolas: My Department inclusive of its agencies does not contract directly for food or drinks supplies but procures catering services through wider Facilities Management or operational service contractors. To obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of her Department are employed in  (a) the commercial directorate,  (b) general property,  (c) the Home Office IT shared services,  (d) the Office of the Chief Information Officer and  (e) the performance and finance directorate of the Financial and Commercial Group; and how many are employed in the Group in total.

Phil Woolas: The following table provides the total number of staff employed by the Finance and Commercial Group and the specific directorates requested in the question.
	
		
			  Finance and Commercial Group 
			   Headcount as at  30 November 2008 
			 Total staff in the Finance and Commercial Directorate 655 
			  Which includes:  
			  (a) Commercial Directorate 32 
			  (b) Home Office Property General 132 
			  (c) Home Office IT Shared Services 175 
			  (d) Office Chief Information Officer 32 
			  (e) Performance and Finance Directorate 114 
			  Note: Headcount includes permanent and non-permanent staff (contractors, non-paid contractors and agency) and non-active staff.

Departmental Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of her Department are employed in the  (a) Corporate Communications unit,  (b) E-communications unit,  (c) Marketing and Strategic Communications unit and  (d) Press Office of the Communications Directorate; and how many are employed in the Directorate in total.

Phil Woolas: The following table provides the total number of staff employed by the Communications Directorate and the specific units requested in the question.
	
		
			  Communications Directorate 
			   Headcount as at  31 December 2008( 1) 
			 Total staff headcount in the Communications Directorate 177 
			  Which includes:  
			  (a) Corporate Communications 28 
			  (b) E-communications unit 16 
			  (c) Marketing and Strategic Communications unit 23 
			  (d) Press Office 42 
			 (1) Headcount includes permanent and non-permanent staff (contractors, non-paid contractors, agency) and non-active staff.

Departmental Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of her Department are employed in the  (a) Crime and Drug Strategy Directorate,  (b) Police and Crime Standards Directorate,  (c) Police Reform and Resources,  (d) Policing Policy and Operations Directorate and  (e) Strategic Support Directorate of the Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group; and how many staff are employed in the Group in total.

Phil Woolas: The following table provides the total number of staff employed by the Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group (CRCSG) and the specific directorates requested in the question.
	
		
			  Headcount as at 31 December 2008( 1) 
			   Number 
			 Total staff Headcount(2) in Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group (CRCSG) Directorate 599 
			 Which includes:  
			  (a) Crime and Drugs Strategy Directorate (CDSD) 128 
			  (b) Police and Crime Standards Directorate (PCSD) 105 
			  (c) Police, Reform and Resource Directorate (PRRD) 75 
			  (d) Policing Policy and Operations Directoarate (PPOD) 214 
			  (e) Strategic Support Directorate (SSD) 72 
			 (1) Headcount includes permanent and non-permanent staff (contractors, non-paid contractors, agency) (2) Total staff headcount include non-active staff.

Departmental Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of her Department's staff are employed in the  (a) Animal (Scientific Procedures) Division,  (b) Home Office Scientific Development Branch,  (c) Research, Development and Statistics Branch,  (d) Science and Research Group Support and (e) Science Secretariat of her Department's Science and Research Group; and how many are employed by the Group in total.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows the overall number of people employed within the Home Office's Science and Research Group broken down by the requested units.
	Please note that the research teams are embedded within each Home Office business area rather than within the Science and Research Group and are therefore not included in these figures.
	
		
			  Headcount in Science and Research Group (SRG) 
			  SRG Unit  Main purpose  Headcount as at  31 December 2008 
			 Director Chief Scientific Advisor and office 2 
			 Animal (Scientific Procedures Division and Inspectorate) Licences all experiments which use animals and provides scientific advice to the Home Secretary and to officials who operate the licensing system. 55 
			 Home Office Scientific Development Branch Provides all the technical and scientific support and development for policing, Counter Terrorism and all other HO functions 245 
			 Economics and Resource Analysis Unit Uses economic and operational analysis, forward- looking modelling and horizon scanning to support HO decision-making 37 
			 Home Office Statistics Unit Produces HO National Statistics together with statistical information and advice on Home Office topics 70 
			 Science and Research Group Support Provides corporate support for the group and a shared service for HO and Ministry of Justice analytic teams 27 
			 Science Secretariat Provides a secretariat to the HO Science Advisory Committees and leads HO Science Strategy and planning 12 
			 Forensic Science Regulator Unit Regulates forensic science quality standards for forensic science used in the Criminal Justice System 8 
			
			 Total staff headcount  456 
			  Note: Headcount includes permanent and non-permanent staff (contractors, non-paid contractors, agency)

Departmental Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of her Department's staff in total are employed in the  (a) UK Border Agency, Immigration and International Section,  (b) UK Border Agency, Border Enforcement and Citizenship Section,  (c) UK Border Agency, Simplification Project,  (d) Commercial and Employment Section,  (e) European Union Section,  (f) Identity and Passport Service and Corporate Projects Section and  (g) Policing and Crime Reduction Section of her Department's Legal Advisers Branch; and how many are employed in the Branch in total.

Phil Woolas: The following tables provides the total number of staff employed by the Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group (CRCSG) and the specific directorates requested in the question.
	
		
			  FTE as at 31 December 2008 
			   Number 
			 Total staff in United Kingdom Border Agency (Including UKVisas) 18,192 
			 which includes:  
			  (a) United Kingdom Border Agency  
			  Immigration and International Section  
			 Immigration Group(1) 9,391 
			 International Group(2) 681 
			 Total 10,072 
			   
			  (b) United Kingdom Border Agency  
			  Border Enforcement and Citizenship Section  
			 Border Force(3) 4,483 
			 Citizenship(4) 587 
			 Total 5,070 
			   
			  (c) United Kingdom Border Agency  
			  Simplification Project 17 
			   
			  Other (comprising)  
			 Resource Management Group 1,142 
			 Human Resources and Organisational Development 327 
			 Policy and Strategy(5) 251 
			 Intelligence 226 
			 Criminal and Detention Group 1,078 
			 Chief Inspectorate and Programme Directorate 10 
			   
			 Total 3,033 
			 (1) Excludes Citizenship given under  (b) (2) Of which 92 are International Group employees and the remainder are former UKVisas employees still held on FCO payroll. Headcount figures are unavailable for these workers. (3) Includes E-Borders (4) These staff are part of Immigration Group. (5) Excluding Simplification Project 
		
	
	
		
			  Headcount as at 31 December 2008 
			  Number 
			 Total staff in Legal Advisers Branch (LAB) 51 
			 which includes:  
			 (a) Commercial and Employment section 8 
			 (b) European Union section 3 
			 (c) Identity and Passport Service and Corporate Projects Section 3 
			 (d) Policing and Crime Reduction section 5 
			  Note: Headcount includes permanent and non-permanent staff (contractors, non-paid contractors, agency) and non-active staff

Departmental Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of her Department's staff are employed in the  (a) EU section and  (b) European near neighbours and wider world section of the International Directorate; and how many are employed in the Directorate in total.

Phil Woolas: The following table provides the total number of staff employed by the International Directorate and the specific directorates requested in the
	question.
	
		
			  International Directorate  Headcount as at  31 December 2008 
			 Total staff in the International Directorate(1) 45 
			  Which includes :  
			 (a) International Directorate HQ staff(2) 33 
			 (b) Overseas Secondment Review Board(3) 10 
			 (1) Headcount includes permanent and non-permanent staff (contractors, non-paid contractors, agency). (2) Includes staff working in EU and Wider World. (3) Includes staff working mainly in the EU.

Departmental Manpower

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of her Department's staff are employed in the  (a) Career Development and Assessment Unit,  (b) Departmental Security Unit,  (c) Home Office Pay and Pensions Service and  (d) HR Services of the Human Resources Department; and how many people are employed in the Department in total.

Phil Woolas: The following table provides the total number of staff employed by the Home Office and the specific directorates requested in the question.
	
		
			  Home Office  Full-time equivalent as at  31 December 2008 
			 Total staff in the Home Office(1) 25819.47 
			   
			  (a) Career Development and Assessment Unit 53.4 
			  (b) HO Departmental Security Unit 56.1 
			  (c) Home Office Pay and Pensions Service 210.5 
			  (d) HR Services 96 
			 (1) Total includes permanent, non-permanent and non-active staff in UKBA, IPS, CRB and HO HQ staff FTE. UKBA's figures exclude UK Visas. IPS figures include General Register Office (GRO).  (a) to  (d) excludes non-active staff.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make it her policy that temporary and permanent employees of her Department employed at the same grade receive the same hourly rate of pay.

Phil Woolas: All staff employed directly by the Home Office in the same grade are paid on the same salary scale, whether or not they are employed on a permanent or non-permanent contract.
	Whether an employee is permanent or temporary in itself has no bearing on the rate of pay they will receive.

Departmental Telephone Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what use  (a) her Department and  (b) service providers under contract to her Department make of (i) 0844 and 0845 telephone numbers and (ii) revenue-sharing telephone numbers for calls from members of the public; for which services such numbers are used; what prefixes are used for revenue-sharing numbers; how much revenue has accrued from revenue-sharing numbers in each of the last five years; what consideration her Department has given to introducing 03-prefixed telephone numbers for calls to all such services; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Please see the following table detailing the use and purpose of non-geographic numbers, e.g. 0845 and 0870.
	The Home Office did not derive any income from such charges in each of the last three years. Information relating to revenue generated prior to 2005 is not held centrally and as such it is not possible to answer this aspect of the question within time and cost limits of the PQ process.
	The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) replaced all 0870 numbers to the Passport Adviceline with two 0300 numbers on 1 September 2008. The sole 0845 number to the Passport Adviceline was replaced at the same time with a 0300 number. There is however a transition period that is currently halfway through and both numbers will be accessible until 31 August 2009. The revenue arising from the previous 0870 IPS arrangements was approximately 300,000 per year and was used to offset the cost of providing the service to callers.
	0845 numbers are however used for customer correspondence inquiries in to the Liverpool, Newport and Peterborough passport offices and similar arrangements are planned for the remaining four IPS regional passport offices.
	The General Register Office, part of IPS, intends to investigate the introduction of an 03-prefixed telephone number during the financial year 2009-10.
	
		
			  Revenue sharing numbers 
			  Number  Purpose  Type 
			 0870 521 0410 Passport Adviceline (replaced on 1 September 2008 by 0300 222 0000) Phone 
			 0870 240 8090 Passport Adviceline (text phone service replaced on 1 September 2008 by 0300 222 0222) Minicom 
			 0870 243 4477 Passport enquiries for High Street Partners (replaced on 1 September 2008 by 0300 222 0000) Phone 
			 0870 243 1902 Passport Complaints (replaced on 1 September 2008 by 0300 222 0000) Phone 
			 0845 121 0046 Authentication by Interview (ABI) Booking Line (replaced on 1 September 2008 by 0300 222 1000) Phone 
			 0845 603 7788 GRO Certificate Services Phone 
			 0870 125 1256 Siemens Business Services IPS Query Letters (replaced on 1 September 2008 by 0300 222 1111) Phone 
			 0870 909 0778 Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure dispute line Phone 
			 0870 909 0844 Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure application line Phone 
			 0870 909 0223 Criminal Records Bureau Welsh Language Line Phone 
			 0870 909 0344 Criminal Records Bureau Minicom 
			 0870 909 0811 Criminal Records Bureau General Inquiries Phone 
			 0870 909 0822 Criminal Records Bureau Registration Information Line Phone 
			 0870 241 4680 Home Office's mailing house, Prolog Phone 
			 0870 241 4786 Home Office's mailing house, Prolog Fax 
			 0870 220 2000 'Together' (advice line for practitioners on tackling antisocial behaviour). Phone 
			 0870 336 9031 Contact Private Office to Jacqui Smith Fax 
			 0870 336 9032 Contact Private Office to Lord West Fax 
			 0870 336 9033 Contact Private Office to Vernon Coaker Fax 
			 0870 336 9034 Contact Private Office to Liam Byrne Fax 
			 0870 336 9035 Contact Private Office to Tony McNulty Fax 
			 0870 336 9036 Contact Private Office to Meg Hillier Fax 
			 0870 336 9048 Contact Parliamentary Team Fax 
			 0870 336 9045 Contact Ministers' Special Advisers Fax 
			 0870 336 9041 Contact Private Office Management Support Unit Fax 
			 0870 336 9037 Contact Permanent Secretary's Office Fax 
			 0845 010 6677 UKBA Employers' Helpline Phone 
			 0845 039 8002 PROSPECTS helpline Phone 
			 0845 601 2298 UKBA Evidence and Enquiry line Phone 
			 0870 240 3781 Immigration Enquiry Bureau (enforcement and removals - recorded message only) Phone 
			 0845 602 1739 Enquiries about asylum support applications Phone 
			 0870 606 7766 Immigration Enquiry Bureau Phone 
			 0870 241 0645 Requests for immigration application forms Phone 
			 0845 010 5200 Nationality telephone enquiries Phone 
			 0870 521 0224 UKBA Work Permits Literature Order Line Phone 
			 0845 600 0914 Asylum Support Customer Contact Centre Phone 
			 0870 241 6523 Enquiries about the work of the UKBA Complaints Unit and advice to callers about how to complain Phone 
			 0845 602 1465 UKBA MPS hot line fax line Fax 
			 0845 601 1145 National Asylum Support fax line Fax 
			 0845 601 1143 National Asylum Support fax line Fax 
			 0845 609 0395 UKBA MPS hotline Phone 
			 0845 601 1150 National Asylum Support Service/MP's hot line Phone 
			 0845 010 5555 UK Visas (pre-recorded information line) Phone

Detention Centres

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration removal centres she has visited in the last 12 months.

Phil Woolas: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has visited one immigration removal centre (IRC) in the past 12 monthsJacqui Smith visited Colnbrook IRC on 21 January 2008.

Dorset Police: Olympic Games 2012

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many extra police will be allocated to the Dorset Constabulary to provide security for the aquatic events for the duration of the 2012 Olympics;
	(2)  how much local authorities in the area will contribute to the overall cost of providing security for the Dorset events of the 2012 Olympics;
	(3)  what estimate has been made of the policing costs to provide security for the Olympic 2012 events taking place in Dorset.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 15 January 2009
	 We have set aside up to 600 million to ensure a safe and secure Olympic Games in 2012 and are in the process of producing an integrated costed security strategy.
	We are working closely with Dorset police on their requirements for policing the sailing events.
	Funds have been allocated to Dorset police for their planning team in 2007-08 and 2008-09 and accommodation through to 2012.
	Any decisions will need to take account of the operational needs of the police and other security agencies, affordability with the total funding envelope and the need to secure value for money.

Driving Under Influence: Screening

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2008, on driving under influence, what assessment her Department has made of the discrepancy between the rate  (a) at which screening tests are undertaken and  (b) of positive tests; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: The police can require a person to take a screening breath test if they reasonably suspect that person of drink driving, or of committing a moving traffic offence or of driving a vehicle involved in a road traffic accident. Use of this power is an operational matter for the police. The percentage of tests which are positive can be affected by various factors, including the numbers drink driving, the number of tests administered and where, when and on which motorists the police administer them.

Drug Seizures

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what quantities of  (a) class A,  (b) class B and  (c) class C drugs have been seized by the Serious Organised Crime Agency in each of the last two years.

Alan Campbell: SOCA published details of class A drug seizures for the years 2006-07 and 2007-08 in its last two annual reports. These reported seizures flowing from SOCA's work of in excess of 74 tonnes and 89 tonnes respectively.
	SOCA has not published details of class B or class C interdictions in general but has provided details of cannabis interdictions in its last two annual reports. The 2006-07 Annual Report stated that 10 tonnes of cannabis was seized as a result of UK-based operations. The 2007-08 Annual Report stated that 30 tonnes of cannabis was seized as a result of both UK and overseas based operations.

Drug Seizures

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) publishes guidance to assist its officers on the circumstances in which a drugs seizure conducted by another agency is to be treated as having been made principally as a result of SOCA activity and information supplied by SOCA.

Alan Campbell: SOCA provides its officers with clear guidance on the recording of drugs seizures, to ensure they are recorded only in cases where SOCA has direct responsibility, or where the seizure was made principally as a result of information provided by SOCA.
	Drug seizures that are included in SOCA totals for management information purposes must have emanated from tasked SOCA operations. The circumstances in which seizures made by other agencies are also included are:
	where another agency is asked to carry out the seizure on behalf of SOCA for reasons of operational sensitivity; or
	where SOCA does not have the power to seize drugs but passes information onto another (usually foreign) law enforcement agency to enable the seizure to be effected.

Drugs: Young People

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the proportion of young people who took  (a) cocaine and  (b) ecstasy in each of the last 10 years.

Alan Campbell: There are two primary sources of statistics on the use of illicit drugs by young people: the British Crime Survey (which covers England and Wales) and the Survey of Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among young people in England.
	Table 1 provides data from the British Crime Survey for the proportion of young people aged 16 to 24 reporting the use of any cocaine in the last year between 1998 and 2007-08.
	Table 2 provides additional data from the Survey of Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use data for the proportion of 11-15-year-olds who reported taking cocaine in the past year between 2001 and 2007.
	
		
			  Table 1: Proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds reporting use of cocaine and ecstasy, 1998 to 2007-08 BCS 
			   Percentage 
			   1998  2000  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Any cocaine 3.2 5.4 5.1 5.2 5.4 5.1 5.9 6.1 5.0 
			 Ecstasy 5.1 5.6 6.8 5.8 5.5 4.9 4.3 4.8 3.9 
			 Unweighted base 1,246 1,468 3,995 4,227 5,351 6,196 5,892 5,706 5,767 
			  Source: 1999 to 2007-08 BCS (self-completion modules). 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Proportion of 11 to 15-year-olds reporting use of cocaine and ecstasy, 2001-07: Survey of smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England 
			   Percentage 
			   200  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Cocaine 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.9 1.6 1.8 
			 Ecstacy 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.3 
			  Source: Survey of Smoking, Drinking and Drug use among young people in England, 2001 to 2007

Entry Clearances: Macedonia

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visa applications the UK has  (a) received and  (b) granted from Macedonian nationals in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 15 January 2009
	The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Nationality: Macedonia 
			   Applications  Issued 
			 2004 3,602 2,852 
			 2005 3,391 2,829 
			 2006 3,864 3,326 
			 2007 3,698 3,569 
			 2008 3,834 3,493 
			  Note: Data is unpublished and should be treated as provisional.

Extradition: Human Rights

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often the Government review its bilateral extradition treaties to take into account changing human rights situations in the countries with which the treaties have been agreed.

Meg Hillier: The Extradition Act 2003 contains robust human rights safeguards. If the district judge in the UK decides that to order a person's extradition would result in a flagrant breach of the person's convention rights within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998, the judge must order the person's discharge from extradition proceedings.

Fixed Penalties

Edward Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which criminal offences  (a) a fixed penalty notice and  (b) a penalty notice for disorder can be given; and in respect of which offences such notices were not available before 1997.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 15 January 2009
	Road traffic offences committed in England, Wales and Scotland for which a fixed penalty may be offered are listed in Schedule 3 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 2008. Other fixed penalty offences are created under several different Acts of Parliament and in respect of a diverse range of offences which are not the responsibility of the Home Office.
	Offences for which a penalty notice for disorder (pnd) is available in England and Wales are listed in the Table in Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, as amended. PNDs were not available before 1997.
	The following road traffic offences have been added to the fixed penalty system since 1997:
	Overtaking a moving or stationary vehicle on a zebra, pelican or puffin crossing contrary to regulation 24 of the Zebra, Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions 1997 (three offences)
	Failure to fix a registration mark to a vehicle in accordance with the requirements of regulation 17 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971
	Driving on the footway contrary to section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 or section 129 (5) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984
	Carrying more than one person on a pedal cycle contrary to section 24 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA)(1)
	Cycling on the pavement contrary to section 72 of the Highways Act 1835(1)
	Using a hand held phone while driving contrary to regulation 110 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No4) Regulations 2003
	Failing to supply details necessary to identify an offending driver contrary to section 172, RTA
	Having no MOT certificate contrary to section 47,RTA
	Having no insurance contrary to section 43 ,RTA
	Overtaking a stationary or moving vehicle in the controlled area of a toucan crossing, contrary to regulations 27 and 28 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002
	Failure to comply with the Motor Cycles (Eye Protectors) Regulations 1999
	(1) These two offences were not added to the fixed penalty system in Scotland.

Genetics: Databases

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the prison population in England and Wales has a profile on the national DNA database.

Jacqui Smith: The purpose of the national DNA database (NDNAD) is to match DNA profiles taken from individuals with those taken from crime scenes. It therefore holds only the information necessary for this function, and does not contain criminal records or information on whether those on it are in prison.
	There are good reasons for believing that the great majority of the prison population has a profile on the NDNAD. Police forces have had the power to retain DNA taken from those convicted of recordable offences since the establishment of the DNA database in 1995. For the first few years this power was exercised in relation to more serious offenders, but from 2000 onwards additional funding was made available under the DNA expansion programme to make it standard practice to take samples from all offenders. In April 2004, an amendment to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 came into effect which extended powers to take DNA samples to all those arrested for recordable offences. Following this, taking a DNA sample in the custody suite has become routine procedure. In addition, two prisoner sampling projects have been undertaken, most recently in 2003, to take DNA from any prisoner who had not already been sampled, for example because they had been imprisoned before DNA sampling was widely practiced.
	Nevertheless, we are determined to ensure that the most serious offenders are on the NDNAD. On 16 December 2008 I announced that we will work with the police to continue to increase the number of convicted offenders on the NDNAD. This will focus on those convicted of serious offences and will include taking DNA from offenders in prison for rape and murder not already on the NDNAD.

Human Trafficking

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Government have spent on raising awareness of human trafficking in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: Raising awareness of human trafficking is central to our approach to combating human trafficking. This is an issue that is being led by the UK Human Trafficking Centre through the development of its Blue Blindfold campaign and its work to increase awareness among law enforcement agencies. Any costs associated with this work has been met from within the overall budget of the UKHTC. Additionally, much work has been undertaken to raise awareness within the relevant law enforcement and other agencies which are likely to come into contact with victims of human trafficking. The costs associated with this work have been met from within existing budgets.
	In addition to these costs we have spent 136,000 on raising awareness through a project run in conjunction with the International Organisation for Migration in Romania and Bulgaria and on the Walk in a Punter poster campaign in Nottingham and London in 2008.

Human Trafficking

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-British citizens convicted of human trafficking offences have been deported from Britain in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: Records of deportation of those who have been convicted of crime are held on a generic offences database. It is not possible to disaggregate those convicted of human trafficking from a range of other offences.

Human Trafficking

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has provided for funding human trafficking investigations in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: Since 2006 we have invested a total of 4.646 million in the law enforcement response to human trafficking. This includes the doubling of the budget for the UK Human Trafficking Centre from 843,000 to 1.7 million for this year, 1.7 million to the Metropolitan police for Operation Maxim, including their human trafficking team in 2007-08, the fund of 1.678 million this year which is administered by ACPOthe Association of Chief Police Officersand the 435,000 for the Metropolitan Police Service to assist them in the their effort to mainstream the work of the trafficking into their existing budget.
	The Serous Organised Crime Agency receive a total of 400 million in order to combat organised crime including that focused on immigration related matters such as human trafficking. This work is being taken forward through the co-ordination of two inter-agency programmes of activity to reduce such crime at source and key points overseas and to reduce the exploitation of migrants within the UK. Additionally, we provided a total of 60 million under Reflex for time limited projects to tackle organised immigration crime under the 2002 spending review period.
	Human trafficking is core police business and as such forces are expected to meet operational costs of undertaking this work from within existing budgets. Historically, we provided a central funding stream to encourage forces to increase their efforts on organised immigration crime, including human trafficking.
	It is not possible to disaggregate this funding to give an accurate figure for the amount dedicated to human trafficking work for the period 2004 to 2006.

Human Trafficking

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had on policy to combat human trafficking.

Alan Campbell: We have a regular dialogue with a range of interested groups from all sectors and with our partner organisations both nationally and internationally and on 17 December we ratified the Council of Europe convention on action against trafficking in human beings.
	Our victim-centred policy on human trafficking is set out in the UK Action Plan and progress on the action points contained within it continues to be overseen by the Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group.

Human Trafficking: Sentencing

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will provide a breakdown of the sentences issued to those convicted of human trafficking offences in each of the last five years by category and length of sentence.

Jacqui Smith: Of the 92 convictions for human trafficking recorded by the UK Human Trafficking Centre all of which are under sections 57-59 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 the sentences passed by year are as follows:
	
		
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Suspended   1  4 
			 12 months or under3 3 
			 1-3 years 3 3 6 6 5 
			 4-6 years  6 6 11 5 
			 7-9 years  4 9 3 2 
			 10-12 years  5  1  
			 13-14 years   1   
			 Over 14 years  2
		
	
	In addition in 2008 there have been four convictions for trafficking for the purpose of forced labour for which we are awaiting confirmation of the sentences received.

Human Trafficking: Sentencing

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average sentence was for those convicted of human trafficking offences as a result of  (a) Operation Pentameter 1 and  (b) Operation Pentameter 2.

Jacqui Smith: It is not possible to disaggregate the sentences arising from the named operations from those sentences passed on those convicted of human trafficking as part of other operations.

Identity Cards: Fees and Charges

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the effect on the cost to the public purse of revenue from charges for  (a) identity cards,  (b) biometric passports and  (c) registration of biometric information in each of the next 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: The latest projected estimates for the cost of issuing identity cards are published in the National Identity Scheme Cost Report.
	A copy of the latest report published on 6 November 2008 may be found at:
	http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/publications-legislative.asp
	I would refer the hon. Member to that report.

Identity Cards: Foreigners

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost of issuing identity cards to foreign nationals in each of the five years from 2010-11.

Jacqui Smith: The latest projected estimates for the cost of issuing identity cards are published in the National Identity Scheme Cost Report.
	A copy of the reports may be found at:
	http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/publications-legislative.asp
	I would refer the hon. Member to that report.

Identity Cards: Government Departments

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on the likely levels of take-up of identity (ID) card verification across Government; what estimate she has made of the number of agencies which expect to use ID card verification when the scheme is rolled out; and how many separate locations in each agency are likely to need an ID card reader;
	(2)  which of her Department's agencies she expects to use identity card verification when the scheme is rolled out; and what estimate she has made of the number of separate locations in each agency which will require an identity card reader.

Jacqui Smith: Identity cards will make it easier for individuals to prove their identity quickly, securely and reliably when using public services. A key purpose of the National Identity Register, as laid out in the Identity Cards Act, is to help identity verification so as to secure the efficient and effective provision of public services. Details of the secondary legislation needed to introduce identity cards and for information to be provided from the Register is set out in Identity Cards Act Secondary Legislation: A Consultation which may be found at:
	http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/NIS_Legislation.pdf
	Government agencies will all be able to make use of identity cards to verify identity through a visual check, as they do now for passports. It will be a matter for individual agencies to determine at what point in the future there is a case for the introduction of any further systems which might include identity card readers. The Identity and Passport Service will continue to work with other Government Departments to establish how each organisation may make the best use of the National Identity Scheme.

Immigration: Finance

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Home Office plans to consult on the no recourse to public funds rule.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 15 January 2009
	There are currently no plans to launch a consultation on migrant women who are victims of domestic violence and have no recourse to public funds.
	The development of a new scheme, where those supporting victims of domestic violence who have no recourse to public funds may be eligible to receive financial support towards their housing and living costs, is currently being negotiated in partnership with the UKBA, the No Recourse to Public Funds Network and stakeholders.

Language Analysis

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 9 December 2008,  Official Report, column 48WS, on language analysis, what percentage of persons claiming asylum from Eritrea and Somalia who were subject to language analysis had their claim refused on the basis of language analysis; and what estimate her Department has made of the likely effect of the introduction of language analysis on applications from Afghan nationals.

Phil Woolas: No asylum claim from a person claiming to be of Eritrean or Somali nationality has been refused on the basis of language analysis alone. Language analysis is a tool used by asylum case-owners in the UK Border Agency to help in the decision making process. It is only one of several factors that contribute to grant or refusal.
	Where there is a suspicion that a person claiming to be from Afghanistan is not an Afghan national that person will be asked to take part in a language analysis interview. It is anticipated that language analysis will identify Afghan claimants who are in fact nationals of other countries and that this procedure will deter others from making false claims of Afghan nationality.

Licensed Premises: Antisocial Behaviour

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions police have closed disorderly and noisy premises with an on-licence to sell alcohol in each of the last five years.

Alan Campbell: Figures relating to the closure of disorderly or noisy premises by the police are not collected centrally.

Members: Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a reply will be sent to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford's letter of 27 October 2008 regarding his constituent Ms Sharon Singizi of Chelmsford.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency wrote to the hon. Member on 16 January 2009.

Metropolitan Police: Disciplinary Proceedings

Andrew Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Association of Chief Police Officers members at the rank of commander and above in the Metropolitan police have been the subject of criminal or disciplinary investigations since January 2005; and which such officers have been suspended from duty following such investigation.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office does not hold this information. This is a matter for the Metropolitan Police Authority.

Offensive Weapons

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) warnings and  (b) cautions have been issued related to the possession of knives in each of the last 10 years; how many prosecutions have been brought; and how many convictions have been secured for such offences.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 18 December 2009
	Information on the number of defendants issued with a caution, proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty at all courts and for offences relating to possession of a knife covering the years 1998 to 2007 (latest available), can be viewed in the following table.
	From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures have been included in the totals.
	The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	
		
			  The number of defendants issued with a caution, proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences relating to possession of a knife( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 
			   Caution  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 1998 1,976 4,888 3,805 
			 1999 1,663 4,566 3,548 
			 2000(3) 1,758 4,625 3,531 
			 2001 1,652 5,823 4,361 
			 2002 1,805 6,963 5,338 
			 2003 1,746 6,928 5,396 
			 2004 2,374 7,352 5,890 
			 2005 3,154 7,319 6,005 
			 2006 3,503 7,699 6,369 
			 2007 3,460 7,404 6,169 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table. (4 )Includes the following statutes and corresponding offence descriptions:  Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.3. Having an article with blade or point in public place.  Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139A (l)(5)(a) as added by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.4(l). Having an article with blade or point on school premises. (5 )From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures have been included in the totals.  Source:  OCIRE  A: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence  Analysis Unit

Offensive Weapons

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) warnings were given,  (b) cautions were issued and  (c) prosecutions were brought for the illegal possession of knives in each of the last three years, broken down by police force area.

Alan Campbell: Data showing the number of offenders cautioned for illegal knife possession and the number of defendants proceeded against for the same offences, from 2005 to 2007 (the latest available), broken down by police force area, are in the following tables.
	From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures have been included in the totals.
	The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded( 1)  against at magistrates courts for knife possession offences( 2) , England and Wales, 2005 to 2007, broken down by police force area( 3) 
			  Force  2005  2006  2007 
			 Avon and Somerset 155 214 200 
			 Bedfordshire 99 74 81 
			 Cambridgeshire 72 83 65 
			 Cheshire 87 101 121 
			 City of London 21 16 10 
			 Cleveland 85 90 109 
			 Cumbria 59 50 51 
			 Derbyshire 100 94 123 
			 Devon and Cornwall 167 138 171 
			 Dorset 76 81 78 
			 Durham 101 96 107 
			 Essex 273 217 182 
			 Gloucestershire 47 48 48 
			 Greater Manchester 391 441 436 
			 Hampshire 182 194 198 
			 Hertfordshire 127 105 78 
			 Humberside 123 135 170 
			 Kent 9 3 2 
			 Lancashire 182 169 176 
			 Leicestershire 105 140 135 
			 Lincolnshire 71 85 54 
			 Merseyside 240 253 250 
			 Metropolitan Police 2,113 2,099 1,810 
			 Norfolk 91 80 96 
			 North Yorkshire 80 70 62 
			 Northamptonshire 6 1 3 
			 Northumbria 241 246 318 
			 Nottinghamshire 151 176 184 
			 South Yorkshire 197 169 179 
			 Staffordshire 76 111 108 
			 Suffolk 84 123 97 
			 Surrey 38 47 65 
			 Sussex 139 165 165 
			 Thames Valley 192 227 165 
			 Warwickshire 30 38 32 
			 West Mercia 112 124 117 
			 West Midlands 386 469 485 
			 West Yorkshire 214 214 227 
			 Wiltshire 66 82 53 
			 Dyfed-Powys 54 39 51 
			 Gwent 45 74 77 
			 North Wales 85 131 101 
			 South Wales 147 187 164 
			 England and Wales 7,319 7,699 7,404 
			 (1) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Includes the following offences and statutes; Having an article with blade or point in public place. (Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.3). Having an article with blade or point on school premises. (Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139A (1)(5)(a) as added by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.4(1)). (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Evidence and Analysis UnitOffice for Criminal Justice Reform 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of offenders cautioned( 1) for knife possession offences( 2) , England and Wales, 2005 to 2007, broken down by police force area( 3,4) 
			  Force  2005  2006  2007 
			 Avon and Somerset 79 157 147 
			 Bedfordshire 123 131 82 
			 Cambridgeshire 40 36 43 
			 Cheshire 19 19 14 
			 City of London 22 13 11 
			 Cleveland 19 32 43 
			 Cumbria 12 15 20 
			 Derbyshire 10 26 42 
			 Devon and Cornwall 100 82 81 
			 Dorset 6 15 36 
			 Durham 21 44 50 
			 Essex 32 54 17 
			 Gloucestershire 20 26 29 
			 Greater Manchester 150 166 168 
			 Hampshire 85 77 75 
			 Hertfordshire 32 42 64 
			 Humberside 44 50 52 
			 Kent 60 64 65 
			 Lancashire 84 91 74 
			 Leicestershire 34 56 46 
			 Lincolnshire 32 41 49 
			 Merseyside 91 62 113 
			 Metropolitan Police 569 710 750 
			 Norfolk 35 47 46 
			 North Yorkshire 25 24 20 
			 Northamptonshire 36 50 59 
			 Northumbria 81 119 93 
			 Nottinghamshire 65 108 91 
			 South Yorkshire 93 123 131 
			 Staffordshire 3 6 19 
			 Suffolk 18 26 31 
			 Surrey 26 34 47 
			 Sussex 478 248 218 
			 Thames Valley 94 115 117 
			 Warwickshire 18 28 13 
			 West Mercia 50 76 55 
			 West Midlands 178 229 199 
			 West Yorkshire 72 68 72 
			 Wiltshire 17 17 15 
			 Dyfed-Powys 70 73 53 
			 Gwent 19 31 36 
			 North Wales 67 50 47 
			 South Wales 25 22 27 
			 England and Wales 3,154 3,503 3,460 
			 (1) From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (2) Includes the following offences and statutes; Having an article with blade or point in public place. (Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.3). Having an article with blade or point on school premises. (Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139A (1)(5)(a) as added by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.4(1)). (3) The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. (4) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Evidence and Analysis UnitOffice for Criminal Justice Reform

Organised Crime: Illegal Broadcasting

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has made an assessment of the likelihood of a link between illegal radio broadcasting and organised criminal gangs.

Alan Campbell: We are unaware of a linkage between illegal radio broadcasting and serious organised criminality.

Passports: Compensation

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for compensation have been received by her Department from individuals relating to passport applications and renewals in each of the last five years; and how much her Department paid in compensation in each such year.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 14 January 2009
	While the value of compensation paid out to individuals relating to all passport application types over the last five years is held, the number of compensation claims received by the Identity and Passport Service is not recorded.
	The value of compensation payments made to the public by the Identity and Passport Service in each of the last five financial years are as follows:
	
		
			   Claims  Value () 
			 2003-04 2,300 79,000 
			 2004-05 3,300 145,000 
			 2005-06 3,400 129,000 
			 2006-07 3,000 123,000 
			 2007-08 2,500 77,000

Passports: Compensation

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Identity and Passport Service has paid in compensation for delays in customers receiving passports in each year since 1997.

Meg Hillier: It would not be possible to split out compensation payments for delays without incurring disproportionate cost. However the total compensation payments made to the public by the Identity and Passport Service in each year since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			   
			 1997-98 49,000 
			 1998-99 80,000 
			 1999-2000 402,000 
			 2000-01 115,000 
			 2001-02 83,000 
			 2002-03 119,000 
			 2003-04 79,000 
			 2004-05 145,000 
			 2005-06 129,000 
			 2006-07 123,000 
			 2007-08 77,000

Personation

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of levels of identity fraud; and what recent assessment she has made of public awareness of measures to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity fraud.

Meg Hillier: British Crime Survey figures for 2006-07 show that 2 per cent. of those surveyed had been victims of identity fraud and our latest estimate is that identity fraud cost the UK economy at least 1.2 billion in the same year.
	We are involved in a multi-agency approach through the Identity Fraud Communications Awareness Group to raise public awareness of identity fraud. The group has produced the following website:
	www.identitytheft.org.uk
	which currently averages nearly 8,000 visits per week, and a leaflet, of which over 13 million copies are in circulation.
	The Government funded 29 million to implement the recommendations of the Fraud Review, which included the creation of a National Fraud Strategic Authority (NFSA) launched on 1 October 2008. We are currently working with the NFSA on ways of assessing the effectiveness of our awareness raising activity.

Police: Conferences

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many multi-agency risk assessment conferences were held in each police authority in England and Wales in the last 12 months; which agencies took part in each conference; and what the cost of such conferences was to  (a) police forces and  (b) other public bodies in that period.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office does not collect this information. Some of the information is available from the Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA).

Police: Convictions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving police officers in  (a) Hertfordshire,  (b) City of London,  (c) Metropolitan,  (d) Merseyside and  (e) Greater Manchester Police had previous convictions before joining the Police Service in each year since 2000; and how many have been convicted since joining the Police Service in each year.

Vernon Coaker: This information is not held centrally.

Police: Dogs

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what operating protocols apply to UK Border Agency staff in circumstances where a  (a) man and  (b) woman belonging to a faith which considers dogs be unclean refuses to be the subject of a search using a dog when entering the UK.

Phil Woolas: In instances where any traveller refuses to be screened by a dog, the handler will refer the individual, or group of individuals, to a member of UKBA staff, who may question or examine that traveller further. We do not insist on a traveller being screened by a detector dog.

Police: Medals

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to award long service medals to police officers after 20 years of service; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The issue of reducing the qualifying period is the subject of an ongoing review and the Home Office will lead a consultation exercise.

Police: Road Traffic Control

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dedicated traffic police are deployed on the motorway and trunk road network in England; and what the equivalent figure was for  (a) 2006 and  (b) 2007.

Vernon Coaker: Information on the number of dedicated traffic police officers is not collected centrally. The available data are the numbers of full-time equivalent police officers primarily employed in the function traffic. On 31 March 2006 there were 6,498, on 31 March 2007, 6,412 and on 31 March 2008, 6,299. The traffic function includes staff who are predominantly employed on motorcycles or in patrol vehicles for the policing of traffic and motorway related duties. The definition does not include officers employed in accident investigation, vehicle examination and radar duties.
	The deployment of officers to specific areas is a matter for individual chief officers.

Police: Crime and Policing Representatives

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the future annual cost of providing allowances to directly elected crime and policing representatives as proposed in the Policing Green Paper.

Vernon Coaker: The Government have announced that they do not intend to proceed with their proposals for directly elected crime and policing representatives at this time.

Police: Vetting

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what vetting takes place to ensure that persons with previous convictions are not employed by the police force; and if she will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is responsible for vetting policy. Forces should not recruit people with cautions and convictions which may call into question the integrity of the applicant or the Police Service.
	Prior to recruitment, thorough checks are made to ascertain if anything is known to the detriment of the applicant, spouse, partner, close relatives or other associates which could heighten vulnerability or cause embarrassment to the Police Service.
	Checks are conducted through the Police National Computer, Criminal History System, Criminal Information System, counter terrorism databases and local intelligence, as well as military and police Professional Standards databases where necessary.
	Responsibility for recruitment is a matter for individual Chief Police Officers, and it is for each police force to make a decision on an individual basis against the national guidance.

Proceeds of Crime: Terrorism

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been collected relating to the suspected financing of terrorism through the suspicious activity reports regime since its creation.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 14 January 2009
	Statistics on the amount of money seized as a result of information received through Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) on the suspected financing of terrorism have been collected by the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit (NTFIU) of the Metropolitan Police since September 2006. Since that date, 1,769,955 has been seized by the NTFIU for further investigation into the origins of the money and the intentions of the transacting parties as a result of SARs of suspected terrorist financing having been passed onto them from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). It would not be appropriate to provide further details of the transactions or a breakdown of this figure due to the need to protect ongoing investigations.

Prostitution

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had on policy on prostitution.

Alan Campbell: The Home Office recently conducted a comprehensive review into tackling the demand for prostitution, the findings of which were published on 19 November. This involved discussions with a range of organisations and individuals, including other Government Departments, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service as well as organisations supporting individuals involved in prostitution.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated value of assets in cases adopted for civil recovery or tax action from other law enforcement agencies by the Serious Organised Crime Agency was in  (a) Northern Ireland and  (b) the UK in the first six months of this financial year.

Alan Campbell: The Serious Organised Crime Agency estimates the potential value of assets when adopting a case for civil recovery, but does not collate these data as a performance indicator. It would be time consuming to collate these data manually from case files and this would be of no operational value. The first stage in a case at which SOCA reports on the estimated value of assets is when they are frozen or under restraint. Information on frozen and restrained assets will be published in SOCA's annual report.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many cases were referred to the Serious Organised Crime Agency by other law enforcement agencies for civil recovery or taxation investigation in  (a) Northern Ireland and  (b) the UK in the first six months of 2008-09;
	(2)  what the value of assets restrained in cases which the Serious Organised Crime Agency has adopted in the first six months of 2008-09 in  (a) Northern Ireland and  (b) the UK;
	(3)  in how many cases adopted by the Serious Organised Crime Agency action has been taken to restrain assets in  (a) the UK and  (b) Northern Ireland, in the first six months of 2008-09.

Alan Campbell: Figures relating to the Serious Organised Crime Agency's UK-wide asset recovery performance for the financial year 2008-09 are subject to internal validation and will be included in their annual report for 2008-09, when published.

Serious Organised Crime Agency

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been referred to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) by law enforcement agencies in England and Wales for criminal confiscation investigation in  (a) Northern Ireland and  (b) nationwide in the first six months of 2008-09; in how many of those cases SOCA has agreed to adoption for such investigation and action; what the estimated value of the assets in the cases adopted for civil recovery or tax action from other law enforcement agencies is; in how many such cases action has already been taken to restrain assets; and what the value of assets restrained in such cases is.

Alan Campbell: Under the provisions of the Serious Crime Act 2007, the Serious Organised Crime Agency was not given the remit or powers to assist partner agencies with criminal confiscation cases in the same way as the Assets Recovery Agency. As a consequence SOCA is not in a position to support partner agencies by taking criminal case referrals in the same way that ARA did. SOCA considers requests from partners for advice or investigative assistance in criminal confiscation cases on a case-by-case basis, but there is no referral or adoption process.
	ARA's criminal confiscation cases were transferred to SOCA with the merger. SOCA has retained ARA's full powers in relation to these specific cases, up until the point of the completion. SOCA does not however have ARA's full powers in relation to criminal confiscation cases for SOCA-initiated cases.

Speed Limits: Enforcement

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance her Department provides to police forces on enforcement of 20 miles per hour zones.

Vernon Coaker: The enforcement of any speed limit is an operational matter for the police, and the Department has not issued guidance in this area. We would however expect 20 mph zones to be largely self-enforcing through traffic calming measures.
	The decision to introduce a 20 mph zone and the installation of traffic calming measures are matters for individual local authorities. The Department for Transport issues guidance to local authorities on the factors to take into account in reaching such decisions, including the need to consult with the police and other interested parties.

UK Border Agency: Complaints

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were investigated by the Complaints Audit Committee of the UK Border Agency and its predecessor in each of the last three years.

Jacqui Smith: The Complaints Audit Committee (CAC) did not investigate individual complaints. The Committee's remit was to monitor the effectiveness of the UK Border Agency's procedures for investigating serious complaints about the conduct and efficiency of its staff and to comment on quality of service issues.

UK Border Agency: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the UK Border Agency to reply to the letter of 9 December 2008 from the hon. Member for Walsall North, reference 1032165 and CTS 822098/8.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 15 January 2009
	The UK Border Agency wrote to the hon. Member on 12 January 2009.